The Federal Aviation Administration has announced it will be cutting 10% of all flights due to the current U.S. government shutdown. Among the affected airports is Orlando Airport, the major hub for those traveling in and out of Disney World. We’re sharing everything you need to know.
As we head into the holiday season, we’re also entering one of the busiest travel times of the year. For the 2024 Thanksgiving season, Airlines for America projected that U.S. airlines would see more than 31 million passengers, an all-time high.
So far, 2025 is looking a bit different. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just announced it will be reducing flight capacity by 10% at 40 major airports across the country due to the current government shutdown. The restrictions will go into effect the morning of Friday, November 7, affecting a long list of airports. Among those that will see a cut is Orlando International Airport, which serves at the major hub for those flying in and out of Disney World.
What to Know About the Airline Cuts
According to ABC News, flight reductions will start at 4% on November 7, before working their way up to 10%. The flights impacted by these reductions are scheduled during the hours of 6 AM and 10 PM. International flights are exempt from the cuts.
Orlando International Airpots. Photo by Cliff Wang.
“Our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible. Reduction in capacity at 40 of our locations. This is not based on light airline travel locations. This is about where the pressure is and how to really deviate the pressure,” FAA Administrator Bedford said during a press conference on November 5.
Orlando Flight Cancellations
For Orlando International Airport, cutting 10% of its flights per day would impact approximately 100 flights, according to the Observer.
Along with Orlando, Miami, and Tampa have been named among the “major market” airports that will see reduced flights.
“Based on a report from Airports Council International-North America, an organization that supports and advocates for airports, MCO is identified as one of the 40 U.S. airports that will have flight reductions beginning Friday (tomorrow),” the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority said in a statement to FOX 35. “This may mean fewer arrivals and departures, which could help slow the rate of activity in the national air space system and assist airports that are experiencing staffing challenges; however, the FAA has not given MCO official notification on its status.
Airports Affected by the Cuts
The FAA has shared a complete list of airports that will see cuts, including:
Anchorage International
Baltimore/Washington International
Boston-Logan International
Charlotte Douglas International
Chicago Midway International
Chicago O’Hare International
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
Dallas-Fort Worth International
Dallas Love Field
Denver International
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
George Bush Houston Intercontinental
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Honolulu International
Houston Hobby
Indianapolis International
Las Vegas Harry Reid International
Los Angeles International
Louisville Muhammad Ali International
Memphis International
Miami International
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International
New York LaGuardia
New York John F. Kennedy International
Newark Liberty International
Oakland San Francisco Bay International
Ontario International
Orlando International
Philadelphia International
Phoenix Sky Harbor International
Portland International
Ronald Reagan Washington National
San Diego International
Salt Lake City International
San Francisco International
Seattle-Tacoma International
Tampa International
Teterboro
Washington Dulles International
What Happens if Your Flight is Cancelled
How airlines are handling the cuts depends on the airline. For example, Southwest has shared that it will be notifying passengers if their flight is cancelled. In most cases, they will automatically rebook you to another flight. However, if your flight has been cancelled and you don’t want to travel, you are eligible for a refund.
United Airlines shared that its long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA. Instead, they plan to focus schedule reductions on regional flying and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hubs. They have also shared that any customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund, even if their flight is not impacted.