Southern California Airports Experience Flight Disruptions Due to FAA Reductions
Flight cancellations and delays have impacted travelers at Southern California airports since Friday, stemming from reductions ordered by the Federal aviation Administration (FAA) due to the ongoing government shutdown. According to flight tracker FlightAware, approximately 150 flights have been canceled out of SoCal airports since the FAA’s operational reductions began.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been the hardest hit in the region. As of sunday at 2:30 p.m., 89 departing flights and 93 arriving flights had been canceled since friday. San Diego International Airport has also seen meaningful disruptions, with 50 departing and 49 arriving flights canceled over the same period. Ontario International Airport is among the 40 airports nationwide asked to reduce operations.
While LAX experienced a 3% cancellation rate on Sunday, it fared comparatively better than other major hubs. Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey saw 27% of flights canceled, while New York’s LaGuardia Airport experienced a 23% cancellation rate. Chicago O’hare International Airport canceled 12% of its outbound flights. LAX also reported a 17% delay rate for flights.
The FAA initially requested airlines at affected airports, including those in Southern California, to reduce operations by 4% on Friday, with a planned increase to 10% by next Friday. This action is a direct result of staffing shortages caused by air traffic controllers working without pay during the government shutdown.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated, “we are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely.”
Travelers are advised to book nonstop flights whenever possible, as these are less susceptible to delays and cancellations. Avoiding routes utilizing smaller planes is also recommended, as these are often prioritized for cancellation.Moreover,morning flights are generally more reliable,as crews are more likely to already be positioned at the airport.
