FAA Begins Phased Flight Cuts at 40 U.S. Airports During Shutdown

Overview

• Capacity reductions start around 4% today and are slated to ramp toward 10% next week, according to FAA briefings to airlines.
• Airlines say the cuts focus on domestic and regional routes, with most international and key hub‑to‑hub flights expected to operate.
• Data firm Cirium estimates up to about 1,800 flights per day could be affected if the plan applies across all 40 airports.
• United, American and Delta outlined initial cancellations in the low hundreds per day while maintaining most long‑haul schedules.
• With 13,000 air‑traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA staff working unpaid, officials warned additional measures such as limits on space launches or partial airspace restrictions remain possible.