Canadian Airlines Update Travellers on Possible U.S. Flight Cancellations
Canadians planning to travel to the U.S. soon may face disruptions due to potential flight cancellations amid a U.S. government shutdown.
Impact on U.S. Airports
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to reduce flights at 40 airports if the shutdown continues. A source informed CNN that the "Core 30" high-traffic airports will be affected.
- New York City's three major hubs
- Airports in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Phoenix, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
- Additional affected airports likely include Anchorage (Alaska), Indianapolis, Portland (Oregon), and Ontario (California).
Flight Volume Reductions
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said flight volumes will decrease by 10%, but it is unclear if this refers to 10% of flights at affected airports or overall U.S. flights.
Staff Working Without Pay
The government shutdown has forced approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers and 13,000 air traffic controllers to work unpaid.
Canadian Airlines' Response
Canada's major airlines—Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Flair Airlines—reported no current impacts on their U.S. flights but are closely monitoring the situation.
An Air Canada spokesperson stated it "is awaiting more details on the planned reductions."
Author's summary: Canadian travelers to the U.S. may face flight reductions amid a U.S. federal shutdown, with FAA plans affecting key airports and airlines watching closely.