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US airlines cancel 1,000 flights
Mass cancelations began Friday under the FAA's order to reduce air traffic amid the government shutdown.
LOS ANGELES - The skies will be a little less crowded as air travelers brace for a new reality.
Starting Friday, Nov. 7, passengers in California and across the United States are facing increased delays and cancellations after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented flight reductions at 40 major airports amid the ongoing government shutdown.
What we know:
As of 7 a.m. Friday, 12,896 flights across the nation were delayed and 1,158 were canceled, according to FlightAware.
By Friday evening, total delays within, into or out of the U.S. were at 5,193 flights and cancellations within, into or out of the U.S. were at 1,012 flights.
This comes after the FAA ordered airlines to phase in a 10% reduction in flight schedules across 40 major airports, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ontario International Airport. This decision is intended to maintain safety and provide relief to air traffic controllers affected by the government shutdown.
The other impacted airports in California are Oakland, San Diego and San Francisco International.
This move aims to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers who are currently working without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown. The phased reduction will begin with a 4% decrease in operations on Friday, ramping up to 10% by November 14th.
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- ‘Hopelessness’ among air traffic controllers as government shutdown drags on, expert says
Flight reduction timeline
Timeline:
- November 7th: 4% reduction in flight operations begins.
- November 11th: Reduction increases to 6%.
- November 14th: Reduction reaches 10%.
Travelers react to delays, "It sucks"
What they're saying:
Travelers at Ontario International Airport expressed frustration over the disruptions.
"What can you do? Just handle it as well as possible. It sucks," one passenger told FOX 11.
Another traveler emphasized the need for bipartisan efforts to reopen the government, stating, "We should do it in a non-partisan way and get the government open again. I think these two sides need to talk to each other, and I think that would be best for everybody."
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Flight reductions begin nationwide amid shutdown
Flying will now be even worse as flight reductions hit airports across the nation.
What's next:
As the government shutdown continues, the FAA's flight reductions are expected to have a ripple effect on smaller airports and potentially extend into the holiday season.
Lawmakers are working on a compromise to reopen the government, with discussions involving potential concessions from Republicans, including a guaranteed vote on Obamacare price supports. However, no agreement has been reached yet, and the situation remains uncertain.
Full list of affected airports
ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport
CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
DAL – Dallas Love Field
DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
DEN – Denver International Airport
DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport
FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
HNL – Honolulu International Airport
HOU – William P. Hobby Airport
IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport
IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport
IND – Indianapolis International Airport
JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport
MCO – Orlando International Airport
MDW – Chicago Midway International Airport
MEM – Memphis International Airport
MIA – Miami International Airport
MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
OAK – Oakland International Airport
ONT – Ontario International Airport
ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
PDX – Portland International Airport
PHL – Philadelphia International Airport
PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
SAN – San Diego International Airport
SDF – Louisville International Airport
SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
SFO – San Francisco International Airport
SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport
TEB – Teterboro Airport
TPA – Tampa International Airport
The Source: This article is based on Rachel Aragon's reporting from the Ontario International Airport, as well as statements from travelers, FAA officials, and government representatives.