Fliers frustrated as flight cuts begin at US airports, including Philadelphia International Airport

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Friday is the start of a brand-new day of headaches in the sky, and it’s only expected to get worse.

It comes after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier this week that the FAA will be forced to shut down the airspace in some areas if the shutdown continues.

The FAA forced 40 airports across the country, including Philadelphia International Airport, to reduce flights due to the government shutdown.

The agency insists this is about safety as air traffic controllers continue working without pay and are suffering burnout.

“They should be at the front of the line as far as payment goes. I know I wouldn’t show up if I wasn’t getting paid,” said one man. “I feel like most Americans feel the same way.”

American Airlines plans to cut 220 flights a day through Monday. Delta said it would cut roughly 170 flights on Friday.

“We were worried. I was up in the middle of the night looking at the flight status and we are on time as of now, so we are hopeful,” said Deb Butter, from Newtown Square.

“I travel full time for work so, yes, I have no choice but to be in the airport every single week. So it’s just trying to do what I can to make sure I get home OK,” said another traveler.

According to FlightAware and there are currently 26 cancellations as of Friday morning in and out of PHL.

So now, as the government shutdown stretches on, the FAA ordered a 10% reduction in flight capacity at airports across the country, including PHL, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Reagan, Orlando, and dozens more.

“It’s annoying,” said Kate Kelly of Natick, Massachusetts. “There’s nothing else. No other flights. The Delta reps told me I’m better off taking Amtrak.”

“Heading to Florida and getting there is not so bad,” said Dan Marrazzo, from Langhorne. “I’m not sure about getting back because it’s one percent per day up to 10%, and that could really make things difficult.”

“Instead of flying into Boston, we’re gonna try to fly in Providence. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get home,” said Julia Guidone.

Stress and burnout are high and sick-outs are increasing among airport workers amid the financial strain during the shutdown.

The reduction in capacity marks an unprecedented move by the FAA and the Department of Transportation. Bedford said he has never seen this happen before in his 35-year career.

Both Bedford and Duffy emphasized that the decision to cut down flights is a proactive measure based on data the department has reviewed, and the staffing pressures anticipated to grow during the shutdown. Duffy said the action is being taken to “reduce the risk profile in the national airspace.”

Echoing him. Bedford added, “We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent, you know, things from deteriorating. So the system is extremely safe today, and it will be extremely safe tomorrow.”

Travelers say they understand these last-minute adjustments.

“If it’s a safety thing, that’s the most important thing,” said Haili Declouet, Lafayette, Louisiana.

Bedford said the cuts to each airline’s flight schedules will be proportionate, adding that the agency recognizes there’s “no perfect solution.”

The FAA said it will consider various factors when finalizing the cuts, including airlines that already operate a less-than-daily service at an airport.

List of U.S. airports to be impacted by FAA cuts

Earlier this week, two security checkpoints at PHL were temporarily closed as TSA agents continue to work without pay.

Flight reductions start at 4% on Friday and work up to 10% by next Friday. This could mean thousands of flights per day nationwide.

The cuts impact all commercial airlines.

At this point, long-haul international flights are not affected, but some airlines are looking to cut routes to and from small and medium-sized cities. Airlines are allowing people to cancel without penalty.

Fliers frustrated as flight cuts begin at US airports, including Philadelphia International Airport

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