Airports in Chicago, New York, LA expected to cut air traffic by 10% amid shutdown

(NewsNation) — Airports in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles are among 40 expected to see reduced flights, according to a preliminary list obtained by NewsNation.

The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce air traffic by up to 10% at 40 major U.S. airports beginning Friday due to air traffic controller staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced.

The cuts, designed to maintain safety as controllers work without pay, will start at 4% Friday and gradually increase to 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13 and 10% by Nov. 14, according to an emergency order issued by the Department of Transportation.

“My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety,” Duffy said. “This isn’t about politics – it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay.”

Bedford said the FAA is seeing “signs of stress in the system” that prompted the proactive measures.

Since the shutdown began, staffing triggers at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing, resulting in reports of strain from both pilots and controllers. Last weekend alone, there were 2,740 delays at various airports, officials said.

As many as 1,800 flights and 268,000 seats could be affected by the FAA’s plans, The Associated Press reported.

Airlines offer penalty-free refunds; 1,800 flights may be cut

United Airlines confirmed it would cancel 4% of flights daily through the weekend — fewer than 200 flights Friday — calling the scale comparable to “a moderate winter storm.”

“As we make those cancellations, we’re doing our best to minimize disruption for our customers and crews,” a United spokesperson said.

United CEO Scott Kirby told employees the airline would focus cuts on regional flying and domestic flights not traveling between hubs while maintaining long-haul international service and hub-to-hub flights.

“No matter what environment we’re operating in, we will not compromise on safety,” Kirby wrote.

American Airlines said it would cancel about 220 flights daily, or 4% of its schedules at affected airports Friday through Monday, while continuing to operate around 6,000 daily flights.

“Disrupting customers’ plans is the last thing we want to do,” American said in a statement.

Delta Air Lines said it expects to operate the vast majority of flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international service.

Southwest Airlines said it would cancel about 120 flights Friday and fewer than 100 Saturday, representing a 4% reduction across 34 of the more than 117 airports it serves.

“The vast majority of our customers’ flights will not be disrupted,” a Southwest spokesperson said.

All three carriers said passengers traveling through affected airports can change flights or request refunds without penalty, regardless of whether their specific flights are canceled.

Airlines encouraged passengers to check flight status through mobile apps or websites for real-time updates.

Pilots union, officials demand immediate end to shutdown

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents more than 80,000 pilots, called on Washington to end the shutdown immediately.

“For weeks, air traffic controllers and thousands of other federal aviation workers have been suffering as a result of the gridlock in Washington,” Ambrosi said in a statement. “This shutdown is adding unnecessary risk to the safety of our skies and places an unbearable burden on the frontline workers who protect us every day.”

A spokesperson for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul blamed the Trump administration for the disruptions.

“Secretary Duffy’s decision to reduce flights and create chaos at our airports is just the latest example of the Trump Administration using this GOP shutdown to hurt Americans,” the spokesperson said.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava warned the cuts could have “significant repercussions for our region’s economy, connectivity, and workforce,” calling Miami International Airport “a major economic engine” for Florida and the broader region.

“Now more than ever, we need the White House and Congressional leaders to achieve bipartisan decisions to ensure we avoid further disruptions,” Levine Cava said.