Airlines canceled a dozen flights to and from Portland International Airport on Friday as federal flight safety regulators ordered reductions amid the historic government shutdown.
The cancellations represent less than 3% of all the flights in and out of PDX scheduled Friday, well below the 10% the Federal Aviation Administration says travelers can expect by the end of next week. The FAA said cancellations could rise in the coming days, as air traffic controllers are working without pay during the protracted shutdown.
Here are all Friday’s cancellations, as of 1:30 p.m. (can’t see the table? Click here.)
Many of Friday’s cancellations were regional routes to cities such as Los Angeles, Sacramento and Seattle. They came on the first day of a phased reduction by the Federal Aviation Administration that will cut air traffic by 10% in 40 so-called high-volume markets, including Portland. The agency is looking to maintain safety as air traffic controllers continue to work without pay during the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1.
It was not clear if every flight cancellation Friday by Alaska, Southwest, United and Delta, was a result of the FAA order. The delays can result from flight reductions and federal staffing shortages at other airports rippling through the system or more standard weather-related disruptions.
“We are seeing some airlines opt to cancel smaller aircraft with fewer seats first, versus cancelling a larger aircraft that can carry more passengers,” Molly Prescott, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland, the airport’s operator, said in an email. “While passenger plans are still being disrupted for many folks, airlines are taking meaningful steps to lessen the number of impacted travelers at PDX where they can.”
PDX has not previously been impacted by the government shutdown because federal agencies operating there were not experiencing chronic staffing shortages beforehand, Prescott said. And while the airport is seeing slightly higher callouts by staff than usual, security lines are still showing minimal delays.
Alaska Airlines, Portland’s busiest airline, accounted for half of Friday’s cancellations at PDX. The carrier canceled flights to and from San Jose, Boise and Seattle. Those are all cities with frequent flights to and from PDX, raising the chances that passengers would be able to find alternate bookings.
Denver, though, was the city with the most cancellations among all airlines — three. Denver is a major regional hub and those cancellations could make it difficult for travelers to find connecting flights.
Prescott said the Port is focused on keeping the airport operations on a smooth glidepath as airlines change flight schedules. Prescott counseled travelers to stay in contact with their airlines.
“All travelers should check directly with their airlines for the most accurate flight information,” Prescott said. “As always, we encourage travelers to arrive to PDX with plenty of time to check in and go through security.”
Flight cuts will step up in phases, according to the FAA. The schedule calls for a 4% reduction Friday, 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13 and the full 10% by Nov. 14.
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