JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Aviation Authority officials are urging local travelers to check with their airlines ahead of their trips following the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to cut some flights during the government shutdown.
On Wednesday, the FAA announced it would be reducing air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety during the ongoing government shutdown. While the Jacksonville International Airport is not on the list, obtained by multiple national networks, of directly-impacted airports, Michael Stewart, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s vice president of external affairs, told News4JAX on Thursday that “the entire system will be impacted” by the cuts.
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RELATED | FAA says it will list airports where it is reducing flights during the government shutdown
Stewart encouraged passengers at JAX to check with their airlines and plan ahead.
“It is important that travelers check with their airline for any impact these changes may have on their scheduled flight,” Stewart said.
Multiple national news networks obtained the list of airports where flights are set to be reduced. Read the full list below:
- Anchorage International
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
- Boston Logan International
- Baltimore/Washington International
- Charlotte Douglas International
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
- Dallas Love
- Ronald Reagan Washington National
- Denver International
- Dallas/Fort Worth International
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
- Newark Liberty International
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
- Honolulu International
- Houston Hobby
- Washington Dulles International
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental
- Indianapolis International
- New York John F Kennedy International
- Las Vegas McCarran International
- Los Angeles International
- New York LaGuardia
- Orlando International
- Chicago Midway
- Memphis International
- Miami International
- Minneapolis/St Paul International
- Oakland International
- Ontario International
- Chicago O’Hare International
- Portland International
- Philadelphia International
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International
- San Diego International
- Louisville International
- Seattle/Tacoma International
- San Francisco International
- Salt Lake City International
- Teterboro
- Tampa International
The move is intended to keep the airspace safe during the shutdown, the agency said.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Most work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to help cover bills and other expenses unless they call out.
Mounting staffing pressures are forcing the agency to act, Bedford said Wednesday at a news conference.
“We can’t ignore it,” Bryan Bedford, FAA’s administrator, said, adding that even if the shutdown ends before Friday, the FAA wouldn’t automatically resume normal operations until staffing improves and stabilizes.
Major airlines, aviation unions and the broader travel industry have been urging Congress to end the shutdown, which on Wednesday became the longest on record.
The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system and “forcing difficult operational decisions that disrupt travel and damage confidence in the U.S. air travel experience,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman in a statement.
Duffy said some controllers can get by missing one paycheck, but not two or more. And he has said some controllers are even struggling to pay for transportation to work.
During weekends from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, the average number of airport towers, regional control centers and facilities monitoring traffic at higher altitudes that announced potential staffing issues was 8.3, according to the AP analysis. But during the five weekend periods since the shutdown began, the average more than tripled to 26.2 facilities.
Several airlines have issued statements following the cuts announcement. Read the full statements below:
United
“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation have directed every airline, across 40 U.S. airports, to meaningfully reduce their schedules during the government shutdown. The goal is to relieve pressure on the national aviation system to keep us all operating safely. That is the highest priority for the FAA—and for United.
Here’s what our customers should know:
- These reductions will start Friday, November 7. We will continue to make rolling updates to our schedule so we can provide several days’ advance notice.
- If your flight is impacted, we will notify you in advance via the United app, our website or a text.
- United’s long-haul international and hub-to-hub flights will not be impacted. Instead, the focus is on schedule reductions to regional and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hub airports.
- Any customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund – even if your flight is not impacted. That includes all non-refundable and Basic Economy tickets.
- Check the United app or visit united.com for the latest information on your flight."
Delta
“Delta is complying with a directive from the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce flights at 40 major U.S. airports beginning Friday, Nov 7.
- Delta expects to operate the vast majority of our flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international service, and will work to minimize customer impact while keeping safety our top priority.
- We are providing additional flexibility to all of our customers during the impacted travel period to change, cancel or refund their flights, including our basic economy fares, without penalty.
We will work to give customers as much notice as possible about any changes to their flights and apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause. We encourage customers to check their flight status on delta.com or the Fly Delta app for the latest information.
These flight reductions are in response to air traffic control staffing shortages stemming from the ongoing government shutdown and are intended to maintain safety across the national airspace system."
Southwest Airlines
“The FAA has directed all airlines to reduce flight schedules beginning Friday, November 7. Here’s what you should know:
- If your flight is canceled, we will notify you via your contact information.
- In most cases, we will automatically rebook you on another flight.
- If your flight has been canceled and you decide not to travel, you are eligible for a refund.
- For the latest information, please visit https://swa.is/FAAFlightReductions.
Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.
We know that these FAA-imposed cancellations could impact an important moment in your life. We appreciate your understanding."
American Airlines
“Due to the ongoing government shutdown and nationwide air traffic control staffing shortages, the FAA has directed airlines to reduce flight schedules to maintain safe airspace operations beginning Friday, Nov. 7. Flights on Thursday, Nov. 6, will operate as planned. While we are awaiting additional information from the FAA to determine which flights will be impacted, we expect the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected. As schedule changes are made, we will proactively reach out to customers who are impacted. As always, we encourage all customers to check their flight status onaa.com or the mobile app. In the meantime, we continue to urge leaders in Washington to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown."
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Associated Press journalist Christopher L. Keller contributed from Albuquerque, New Mexico.