Fresno airport travelers urged to check for delays after FAA flight cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday it would reduce flights at 40 major U.S. airports by 10% beginning Friday, Nov. 7 due to an increasing strain on air traffic controllers as the longest-ever government shutdown drags on.

The Fresno Yosemite International is not on the list of airports targeted for flight reductions. Even so, “these proposed reductions across the National Airspace System (NAS) are expected to have a ripple effect on other airports,” Fresno Yosemite International Airport said in a media statement.

Aircraft traffic flow and temporary ground stops at other major airports, including Denver International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, have already caused sporadic flight delays at the Fresno International Airport. Due to the FFA flight reductions, flight delays are expected to be more of a certainty, according to the media statement.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport encourages passengers to be patient and vigilant in monitoring their flight status by checking with their airline or downloading their airline’s mobile app for timely updates. Updates on the status of flights to and from Fresno are also available on the airport’s website.

“FAT is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the traveling public and continues to work closely with its federal partners on tracking this situation,” the media release said.

Airports around California expected to see flight cuts include Los Angeles International, Oakland International, Ontario International, San Diego International and San Francisco International.

If the shutdown continues, Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford told CEOs of the impacted airports that cuts would start at a 4% reduction on Nov. 7, 5% on Nov. 8, 6% on Nov. 9 and 10% starting next week.

“I think it’s going to lead to more cancellations, but we are going to work with the airlines to do this in a systematic way,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a Nov. 5 news conference.

The FAA said the flight reductions are to maintain safety and relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who have worked without pay since the government shutdown started on Oct. 1. Staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities have already caused delays at multiple major U.S. airports through the shutdown.