The American aviation system faced significant disruption Friday as major airlines began canceling hundreds of flights in response to a Federal Aviation Administration order limiting capacity at 40 major airports across the nation. The restrictions come as the government shutdown extends into its second month with no resolution in sight.
As of early Friday morning, more than 800 flights within, into, or out of the United States had been cancelled, according to flight tracking data. The three largest carriers in the country moved swiftly to adjust their schedules in compliance with the new federal restrictions.
American Airlines announced it would cancel approximately 220 of its roughly 6,000 daily departures beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend. United Airlines planned to cancel fewer than 200 of its more than 5,000 daily flights during the same period. Delta Airlines indicated it would cancel about 170 flights per day. All three carriers expressed confidence they could accommodate most affected passengers on alternative flights.
United Airlines took the additional step of publishing its cancellations on a dedicated website to assist travelers in making alternate arrangements. A company representative reported that approximately half of the passengers whose flights were cancelled were successfully rebooked within four hours of their original departure times.
The cancellations represent the most substantial disruption to commercial air travel since the government shutdown began more than a month ago. Airlines began notifying passengers of the cancelled flights Thursday, leaving many travelers scrambling to adjust their plans.
The human cost of these disruptions became apparent as affected passengers shared their experiences. Caitlin Ladner of Wisconsin had planned to fly to Raleigh, North Carolina, Friday for a surprise visit to her parents with her sister. After receiving notification through her airline’s mobile application that her flight had been cancelled, she made the difficult decision to abandon the trip entirely rather than accept a rescheduled flight.
“We’ve been planning it for a while. It’s pretty upsetting,” Ladner said, adding that uncertainty about when the shutdown might end influenced her decision to cancel rather than reschedule.
At Reagan National Airport outside Washington, travelers expressed frustration and concern about the broader implications for air travel. Frederick Ross of Fort Myers, Florida, indicated the current situation has prompted him to reconsider his upcoming holiday travel plans, suggesting a family road trip might prove more reliable than air travel under present circumstances.
The FAA’s decision to limit flight capacity at major airports stems from operational constraints created by the extended government shutdown. The move underscores the cascading effects of the federal funding impasse on critical transportation infrastructure and the millions of Americans who depend on reliable air service.
As the shutdown continues with no clear path to resolution, the aviation industry and traveling public alike face mounting uncertainty about when normal operations might resume.
Related: Pro-Israel Democrat Ritchie Torres Faces Primary Challenge From Progressive Rival
