On Wednesday, Nov. 5, the day the government shutdown broke the record for the longest in U.S. history, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a 10% reduction on flights nationwide, calling it a “proactive” effort to keep American airspace safe while addressing the “fatigue” impacting on controllers.
Starting Friday at 6 a.m. local time, the FAA has ordered a 4% reduction in operations at 40 major airports nationwide, with cuts expected to increase to 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13, and up to 10% by Nov. 14, according to an emergency order issued Thursday by the FAA.
Many Jacksonville travelers are wondering how this will affect Jacksonville International Airport?
According to Michael Stewart, president of the Florida Airports Council and an executive at the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, even though the FAA has not canceled any flights out of JIA, the expectation is that the entire airport system nationwide will feel the impact. He said it’s difficult to predict what effect that could have on Jacksonville.
Here’s what we know so far, along with the steps travelers are advised to take if their flights are canceled or delayed as a result of the FAA’s nationwide flight reductions.
Live flight updates and cancellations at Jacksonville International Airport
Travelers can check the latest flight updates to and from Jacksonville International Airport by visiting flyjacksonville.com.
What to do if your flight is canceled due to FAA reduction?
The Department of Transportation has mandated that all airlines must issue full refunds to customers affected by cancellations. So far, major carriers say they’ll notify travelers about cancellations, provide rebooking options, and issue refunds — even if your flight isn’t directly impacted.
American Airlines is issuing travel waivers, allowing customers whose flights are canceled to change their flight or request a refund without penalty.
United said impacted customers will be notified via the app and push notifications about flight changes and rebooking options. United customers traveling during this period are also eligible for a refund, even if their flight isn’t impacted. The airline also released a list of canceled flights from Friday to Sunday on its website.
Delta is also offering travel waivers, allowing customers in affected markets to change, cancel, or refund flights without penalty.
Southwest said the “vast majority” of customer flights won’t be disrupted, and those impacted will hear from the airline. Those with travel booked through Nov. 12 can change their plans or receive a refund.
How is the goverment shutdown and FAA reductions impacting TSA nationwide?
According to a TSA spokesperson, “While the vast majority of TSA’s nationwide operations remain minimally impacted by the government shutdown, occasional delays at some security checkpoints are to be expected.”
However, “the longer the shutdown goes on, the more severe the impact on our TSA workforce who have expenses they must pay for, making it harder to show up for work when not being paid.”
That said, TSA has one ask from travelers: “We kindly ask for the public’s patience and understanding as our officers are forced to work unpaid at this time.”
And despite this challenge, their spokesperson emphasized “TSA will remain vigilant and focused on performing our vital security mission on behalf of the American people.”
FAA list of 40 airports impacted by the cuts
The FAA has selected the following airports for the gradual increase in cancelations. Here’s the list, in alphabetical order by airport code:
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
Contributing Jeanine Santucci, Marc Ramirez, N’dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: FAA cuts impact on JAX: Track flight cancellations, delays