Overview
- Airlines were ordered to trim 4% of flights starting Nov. 7, stepping up to 10% by Nov. 14 during daytime operating hours.
- By early afternoon Friday, flight trackers reported more than 850 cancellations and over 2,300 delays nationwide as the directive took hold.
- Carriers issued change-fee waivers and rebooked customers, with United and American prioritizing hub and long-haul routes while cutting regional frequencies; Breeze said 32 flights were canceled under the order.
- The cuts apply to domestic flights, with most international services continuing, and the FAA is also temporarily limiting commercial space launches and certain nearby operations.
- Transportation officials warned reductions could exceed 10% if controller absenteeism rises, while FedEx and DHL said contingency plans are in place to protect time-sensitive shipments.