WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is among the 40 airports that will be reducing flights by 10% during the government shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Wednesday that it was taking a step to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown.
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The FAA said 40 airports, including Detroit Metro Airport, were ordered to reduce air traffic starting Friday, Nov. 7.
The airport confirmed on social media on Friday that it’s included in the flight reduction list.
“Some flights have been canceled as a result,” Detroit Metro Airport said in a statement. “We encourage travelers to check their flight status with their airline before heading to DTW. We appreciate our customers’ patience as the Airport Authority, airlines, and federal partners adapt to changing conditions.”
Airports impacted
Here are the 40 airports cutting flights amid the government shutdown:
- ANC Anchorage International
- ATL Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
- BOS Boston Logan International
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International
- CLT Charlotte Douglas International
- CVG Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
- DAL Dallas Love
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National
- DEN Denver International
- DFW Dallas/Fort Worth International
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
- EWR Newark Liberty International
- FLL Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
- HNL Honolulu International
- HOU Houston Hobby
- IAD Washington Dulles International
- IAH George Bush Houston Intercontinental
- IND Indianapolis International
- JFK New York John F Kennedy International
- LAS Las Vegas McCarran International
- LAX Los Angeles International
- LGA New York LaGuardia
- MCO Orlando International
- MDW Chicago Midway
- MEM Memphis International
- MIA Miami International
- MSP Minneapolis/St Paul International
- OAK Oakland International
- ONT Ontario International
- ORD Chicago O`Hare International
- PDX Portland International
- PHL Philadelphia International
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International
- SAN San Diego International
- SDF Louisville International
- SEA Seattle/Tacoma International
- SFO San Francisco International
- SLC Salt Lake City International
- TEB Teterboro
- TPA Tampa International
Air traffic controllers unpaid since shutdown
Since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, air traffic controllers have been working unpaid. The Associated Press reported that most have been working six days a week while putting in mandatory overtime. With some calling out of work due to frustration, taking second jobs or not having money for child care or gas, staffing shortages during some shifts have led to flight delays at a number of U.S. airports.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said he and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy did not want to wait until the situation reached a crisis point.
Government shutdown
As of Nov. 7, the government shutdown has continued for 38 days, the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
Airline statement
Local 4 reached out to Delta Airlines regarding the flight cuts. A spokesperson responded with the following statement:
“Delta expects to operate the vast majority of our flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international service, and will work to minimize customer impact while keeping safety our top priority.
We are providing additional flexibility to all of our customers during the impacted travel period to change, cancel or refund their flights, including our basic economy fares, without penalty.
We will work to give customers as much notice as possible about any changes to their flights and apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause. We encourage customers to check their flight status on delta.com or the Fly Delta app for the latest information."
Samantha Facteau, spokeswoman for Delta Airlines