Shutdown fallout: D.C. airports face major flight cuts ahead of holidays
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More shutdown travel pain ahead as the FAA cuts flights. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Reagan National, Dulles International and BWI are bracing for their flights to be cut by 10% in the coming days amid nationwide airport staffing shortages linked to the longest-ever government shutdown.
Why it matters: Airports are facing upheaval coast to coast as air traffic controllers go unpaid and staffing shortages trigger disruptions — and more cuts could follow as Thanksgiving nears.
The big picture: The Federal Aviation Administration has planned flight reductions at dozens of U.S. airports. The list hasn't been finalized as of Thursday afternoon, but is expected to include all major U.S. airfields.
- A 10% reduction translates to hundreds of flights at each of the country's busiest airports, per data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, affecting thousands of travelers daily.
- The cuts may start at 4% Friday before ramping up to 10% over the following few days if the shutdown continues, per CNN.
Zoom in: Airlines are working with the FAA to reduce flights at Reagan and Dulles to ease the strain on air traffic control, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority tells Axios in a statement.
- Airport operations remain normal for now, but federally staffed security checkpoints and control centers could see disruptions.
- TSA lost-and-found sites at DCA and IAD are closed due to staffing.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport, a Southwest hub, is also bracing for cuts.
- Southwest said it will mostly rebook travelers automatically, and customers who decide not to accept the rebooking can get a refund.
What they're saying: Airlines will reach out directly to affected customers in regards to delays and cancellations, according to MWAA.
- American, which has a hub at DCA, and United, which has one at Dulles, are among the airlines saying they're trying to make the requested cuts while minimizing disruptions (e.g., cutting flights at periphery airports).
- United's long-haul international flights and hub-to-hub destinations won't be impacted, according to the airline's CEO.
Many airlines including United, Delta and American are offering free refunds if flights are canceled or rebooked, as well as cost-free changes, cancellations and rebookings.
Zoom in: Reagan National has been plagued with delays since January's deadly airline crash that exposed overburdened runways and led to new safety measures — including halting air traffic every time the president flies.
- Issues have been mounting during the shutdown. FAA data shows multiple staffing-related delays in recent days, with a 90-minute average delay last Thursday and an 11-hour maximum anticipated delay.
Friction point: Controllers are bracing for a second $0 paycheck if the shutdown continues — an untenable situation for some.
- Meanwhile, roughly 4,000 union airport workers at DCA and Dulles — from baggage handlers to wheelchair attendants, cleaners and security mechanics — are pushing for a wage hike after a rejected proposal last week, per a release shared with Axios.
What's next: More cuts could follow if the FAA deems it necessary to ensure safety, potentially snarling Thanksgiving travel later this month.
Go deeper: What to do if the FAA cuts or cancels your flight