TEXAS — Dallas and Houston airports are reportedly on the list of those that will restrict flights starting Friday due to the government shutdown. Because of the shutdown, air traffic controllers have been working without pay for over a month.
Many controllers who are forced to work without pay are calling in sick. As a result, the burden on those who do show up for work is increasing.
As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that it will reduce flight capacity by 10% at 40 airports across the country, comprised mostly of those that are major hubs for other markets.
Dallas-Fort Worth International, Dallas Love Field, Houston’s William P. Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental airports are on the list.
Airlines are trying to solve the logistics of the situation in their own ways. United Airlines has said that its canceled flights will focus mostly on regional routes, while American Airlines has said that its flights will all run as normal.
The airlines said that customers whose flights are canceled for any reason will be able to change their flights or request a refund without penalty.
Passengers with booked flights are expected to be notified about cancellations on Thursday. The FAA recommends travelers download their airline’s app and turn on notifications.
“There will be flight disruptions. @USDOT will mitigate the safety side. But I would still be booking your flights. We are just going to have to work together to navigate this situation that the Democrats are putting the American people through,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post on X on Thursday.