FAA flight reductions could spark Houston holiday travel meltdown
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
People wait in a security checkpoint line at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Tuesday. Photo: Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images
The Federal Aviation Administration will begin reducing flights and restricting airspace on Friday to alleviate stress on air traffic controllers due to the government shutdown.
Why it matters: These drastic moves will impact dozens of U.S. airports, including George Bush Houston Intercontinental and Houston Hobby, forcing airlines to cancel or delay flights.
What they're saying: "Our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible. This is about where the pressure is and how to really deviate the pressure," FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said during a press conference Wednesday.
Zoom in: United is canceling about 4% of flights each day — roughly 20 roundtrips in Houston, mostly United Express service — as it adjusts its schedule through Sunday in response to FAA-directed airspace restrictions, said Phil Griffith, United Airlines' vice president of airport operations at IAH.
- Griffith said hub-to-hub and international flights will not be impacted, helping United maintain operations and offer impacted customers more options to resume travel.
- United is also refunding ticketed passengers who do not wish to fly during the shutdown disruptions, per United CEO Scott Kirby in a letter to employees.
Southwest Airlines, which has a hub in Hobby, said most flights will operate as planned, and affected passengers will be notified directly. The company announced international flights will not be impacted.
- Customers with travel through Nov. 12 can change plans at no cost or request a refund.
Friction point: Here comes the holidays. The U.S. Travel Association and nearly 500 tourism organizations and companies are warning of a potential Thanksgiving travel meltdown if the government shutdown drags on.
- In a letter to congressional leaders on Monday, the coalition said the ongoing shutdown could depress demand and cost the U.S. travel economy billions, hurting local businesses nationwide.
Threat level: Thanksgiving week 2024 was one of the busiest on record — and a similar surge this year could overwhelm already strained systems.
By the numbers: The travel economy has already suffered $4 billion in estimated losses so far from the shutdown, the letter said.
- "Thanksgiving should be about spending time with family, not worrying about flight disruptions or canceled plans," Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel president and CEO, said in the release. "The damage from this shutdown is growing by the hour with 60% of Americans reconsidering their travel plans."