International flights ‘not affected’ by restrictions imposed at 40 US airports amid government shutdown

A list of 40 airports where flight restrictions will be imposed due to the US government shutdown have been revealed.

 

However, the order “does not require a reduction in international flights,” the US aviation regulator pointed out.

 

Major hubs such as New York JFK, Los Angeles International, Dallas Fort/Worth, Miami International, Chicago O’Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta and Washington Dulles are included.

 

Others detailed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) include the US gateways of Boston Logan, Newark Liberty, San Francisco and Seattle-Tacoma.  

 

Florida airports used by UK airlines - Orlando International and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International - are also affected.

 

“Carriers may use their own discretion to decide which flights are canceled to reach the order’s goal,” the regulator said.

 

“Airlines will be required to issue full refunds. They will not be required to cover secondary costs. This is the normal procedure when a delay or cancellation is not at the fault of the carrier.

 

“These actions were directly informed by the FAA’s review of aviation safety data, including voluntary, confidential safety reports that pilots and air traffic controllers file. 

 

“The data indicates increased stress on the system, which increases risk.”

 

A 4% reduction in operations will take effect from today (Friday), ramping up to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13 and 10% by November 14. 

 

Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since the start off the shutdown more than a month ago.

 

Staffing issues at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing. 

 

“This has resulted in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers.This past weekend, there were 2,740 delays at various airports,” the FAA revealed.

 

American Airlines confirmed that about 220 flights a day will be cut but 6,000 daily services will continue to operate.

 

The airline said: "We’re deeply grateful to federal aviation workers who continue working without pay to keep our skies safe. This is unacceptable. 

 

“We, once again, urge leaders in Washington to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown.” 

 

United Airlines noted that long-haul international flying will not be affected, or flights that connect its hub airports at Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark Liberty International, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.

 

“We’ll make rolling updates to our schedule if the government shutdown continues,” United added. 

 

“The FAA’s goal is to relieve pressure on the aviation system so that every airline can continue to operate safely. That is the FAA’s highest priority, and ours as well.

 

"No matter what environment we’re operating in, we won’t compromise on safety.” 

 

United chief executive Scott Kirby said: “United’s long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA. 

 

“That’s important to maintain the integrity of our network, give impacted customers as many options as possible to resume their trip, and sustain our crew pairing systems.

 

“Instead, we will focus our schedule reductions on regional flying and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hubs.”

 

He added: "Even with these schedule reductions, United and its United Express partners will still offer about 4,000 flights per day to fly our customers to their destinations. 

 

“And because of the early November timing, our flights have more seats available than before the summer, meaning we should be able to find seats for many customers even if their flight is cancelled.”

 

Delta Air Lines expects to operate the “vast majority” of flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international services, “and will work to minimise customer impact while keeping safety our top priority.”

 

The carrier added: “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.”  

 

FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said: “We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely. 

 

“The FAA will continue to closely monitor operations, and we will not hesitate to take further action to make sure air travel remains safe.”   

 

US transportation secretary Sean Duffy said: “My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. 

 

“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. 

 

“It’s safe to fly today, and it will continue to be safe to fly next week because of the proactive actions we are taking.”