Flight cuts leave travellers scrambling as shutdown hits US airports

Representative photo

A 10 percent reduction in flights at 40 major American airports is set to begin this week, forcing airlines and passengers to rethink travel plans.

A day after the Trump administration announced flight reductions across some of the country’s busiest airports, airlines, airport authorities and travellers have been left scrambling for answers. The cutbacks will roll out in stages, beginning with a 4 percent drop on Friday before expanding to the full 10 percent next week. Officials say no final list of affected airports has been released, though carriers have hinted that regional and domestic routes will face the brunt of the impact, with most international operations protected, the New York Times reported.

Why the US government is cutting flights US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the reductions were designed to ease strain on air traffic controllers, many of whom are working unpaid and calling in sick at elevated rates. In the New York region alone, nearly 80 percent of controllers were absent late last week. Industry leaders warn that while safety is paramount, the cuts will hurt reliability and efficiency during a period that already strains the system: the run-up to Thanksgiving.

What disrupted travellers should expect Airlines have started cancelling large numbers of flights. Delta will cancel 170 trips on Friday. United expects roughly 200 cancellations each day through the weekend. American will cut 220 flights daily until Monday. Carriers are rebooking passengers automatically, waiving change fees and offering refunds to those who choose not to travel. But even unaffected flights may experience crowding, delays and long security lines as schedules compress.

How travellers can protect their plans Travel experts advise checking where your aircraft is coming from, monitoring seat maps for unusually empty flights and tracking delays on apps like FlightAware or FlightRadar24. Smaller city routes remain especially vulnerable. Some airline executives have even suggested booking a fully refundable “backup” ticket on another carrier if you must reach your destination.

Insurance and alternative travel options Travel insurance may help only if the policy was purchased before the shutdown began. Most new policies will not cover disruptions caused by a known event. For some travellers, trains and long-distance buses may become practical alternatives. Amtrak expects record holiday demand, while Greyhound and FlixBus report rising interest as flight uncertainty grows.

A system under strain With the shutdown dragging on and US Congress deadlocked, the travel industry warns the impact could stretch well beyond Thanksgiving. Even if the government reopens soon, airlines say they will need days to recover. For now, passengers face a volatile travel landscape shaped by a shrinking flight network and an overstretched aviation workforce.