ORLANDO, Fla. – As discussions continue in Washington to end the ongoing government shutdown, air travelers across the country — including those at Orlando International Airport — are still facing flight delays and cancellations due to a federal mandate reducing flight operations at major airports.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered flight reductions at 40 high-volume airports nationwide last week, citing a strain on air traffic operations and a shortage of air traffic controllers caused by the shutdown. Orlando International Airport is among those impacted.
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On Wednesday, reductions at Orlando stood at about 6%, with the FAA planning to increase that number to 8% on Thursday and 10% by Friday.
For passengers like one traveler returning to Dallas after a weeklong cruise, the delays have been emotionally draining.
“I haven’t seen my family for almost seven days,” she said. “I really miss my kids, and this delay is ruining it. I wasn’t expecting this.”
While some passengers reported relatively smooth travel Wednesday afternoon, others continued to experience frustration with disruptions.
“I’m just praying it doesn’t delay again or cancel,” another traveler said. “I don’t know where to go from here.”
According to FlightAware, dozens of flights at MCO were affected by delays or cancellations Wednesday morning.
Michael McCormick, an associate professor of Air Traffic Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, says even if the government shutdown ends soon and the FAA lifts its flight reduction mandate, airlines won’t be able to return to normal operations immediately.
“It usually takes three to four days to work through everything — getting the crews and aircraft where they need to be so normal schedules can resume,” McCormick said.
Despite the uncertainty, many travelers in Orlando said they’re remaining hopeful that disruptions will ease before the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
McCormick says that if the shutdown ends and the FAA’s restrictions are lifted before the weekend, holiday travel could be normal. Until then, flyers are advised to check their flight status frequently and prepare for possible changes.
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