Hawaii Seeks Waiver to Avoid Flight Disruptions as Shutdown Impacts Air Travel
HONOLULU, HI – November 6, 2025 – Hawaii transportation officials are working to minimize travel disruptions caused by federally mandated flight reductions stemming from the ongoing government shutdown. The state has formally requested a waiver from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to allow Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu to continue operating at full capacity.
The Federal Aviation Management (FAA) is reducing air traffic at 40 high-volume markets nationwide,including Honolulu,to alleviate strain on air traffic controllers working without pay as the shutdown began on October 1st.
As of Friday,November 6th,ten flights had been canceled – two Southwest Airlines flights and eight Hawaiian Airlines flights – impacting travel to Kona and Maui. Five additional flights, two operated by Southwest and three by Hawaiian, have been canceled for Saturday, affecting service to Kona, maui, and Kauai.
hawaii Department of transportation (HDOT) Director Ed Sniffen expressed optimism about the waiver request. “It’s big money, but it’s something that we can cover, especially if it’s considered during that we’re minimizing the potential to get impacted by this restriction,” Sniffen stated. “There’s several things we got to make sure that we understand how we can get that funding to the airport to employees.”
The state is prepared to provide approximately $360,000 per month to cover the salaries of the 1,800 air traffic controllers and TSA screeners in Hawaii during the shutdown, with the expectation of full reimbursement once federal funding is restored. Sniffen confirmed that Hawaii airports have not yet experienced any staffing shortages or employee call-outs.
While cargo and international flights remain unaffected, the flight reductions are impacting travelers. Kendall Leueholmstrom of Kailua shared her concerns that her father and grandparents might potentially be unable to attend her wedding on Tuesday due to the cancellations. ”What breaks my heart is I’ve tried everything to just make this so important for our family…but I guess it was not meant to be,” she said.
Travelers are advised to closely monitor their flight status. Airlines are offering rebooking options on other flights the same day or full refunds for canceled trips.
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