More than 800 flights had already been canceled across the United States first thing Friday as the Federal Aviation Administration’s unprecedented order to cut flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports was set to take effect.
Travelers were bracing for travel chaos at major airports across dozens of states – including all three New York City-area hubs – after the feds ordered airlines to slash 10% of their flights starting from Friday as the government shutdown rages on.
Airlines were already scrambling to adjust schedules and began scrapping flights in anticipation – as scores of travelers waited nervously to see if their planes would be canned or plagued by lengthy delays.
Over 815 flights had been called off nationwide and more than 550 were delayed as of 7 a.m. on Friday, according to FlightAware.
Delta Air Lines revealed it would be axing roughly 170 flights Friday, while American Airlines planned to cut 220 a day through Monday.
Southwest Airlines was set to scratch about 120 flights on Friday.
All three major New York hubs — John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports – are set to feel the effects.
Travelers at Newark were already hit with over three-hour flight delays late Thursday just hours before the order took effect.
“I’m devastated,” Grace Logeman, 40, said as her Frontier flight out of Newark to Atlanta was delayed several hours – ensuring missed a connecting flight to the Dominican Republic for her sister’s birthday.
“As far as the ongoing shutdown… it’s hurting me. I’m the one sitting here now.”
Other major high-traffic airports that’ll be impacted under the order include Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Washington, Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles.
These are the major airports being impacted by the government shutdown
Among the 40 “high volume market” airports that will be affected by flight cancellations are:
- Newark Liberty
- JFK
- LaGuardia
- Teterboro
The delays are part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s 10% airspace reduction during the ongoing government shutdown.
Additional airports on the list:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
- Denver International
- Chicago O’Hare
- LAX
- Boston Logan
The drastic plan, which threatens to throw holiday plans into chaos for millions of Americans traveling for Thanksgiving, are being rolled out gradually.
The cuts start at 4% on Friday and ramp up to 10% a week from now.
The reductions will be in effect between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and impact all commercial airlines, according to the order.
The drastic plan threatens to throw holiday plans into chaos for millions of Americans traveling for Thanksgiving.
The feds insist the cuts are necessary to reduce pressure on air traffic controllers who have been working without pay for more than a month due to the ongoing government shutdown.
“You can’t expect people to go in to work when they’re not getting a paycheck,” Kelly Matthews of Flat Rock, Michigan, a frequent business traveler who has canceled most of her upcoming trips, said.
“I mean it’s not a matter of them not wanting to do the job — but you can’t afford to pay for gas, your day care and everything else.”
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