Flights disrupted at logan Airport as FAA Implements Emergency Capacity Cuts Amid Government Shutdown
Boston, MA – Dozens of flights have been canceled at Boston Logan International Airport as a new emergency order from teh federal Aviation Management (FAA) takes effect, reducing flight capacity at 40 major airports nationwide.As of 10 a.m. Friday, 38 flights in and out of Logan were canceled, with that number expected to increase.
The FAA order, implemented due to ongoing staffing shortages exacerbated by the government shutdown, begins with a four-percent reduction in flights and is projected to reach a 10-percent cut by the end of next week. The move impacts commercial, cargo, and private flights, and airlines face potential fines of up to $75,000 per flight exceeding the new limits.
the disruptions stem from a critical shortage of air traffic controllers, a problem that predates the shutdown but has been significantly worsened by controllers working without paychecks during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. “They were already short 3,500 air traffic controllers before the government shutdown. Of course, that’s compounded now by a lot of no-shows of the controllers who are not getting paid. So, what’s being done now, they don’t have a choice, they have to slow the flow,” explained CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg.
Smaller airports are also affected; T.F.Green International Airport in Rhode Island reported five cancellations Friday morning. Massport, wich operates Logan Airport, is advising passengers to check thier flight status before traveling to the airport.Airlines will offer refunds for canceled flights, but will not cover secondary expenses such as hotels or meals, as the cancellations are attributed to circumstances beyond their control. Passengers can find flight status information at https://www.massport.com/logan-airport/flights/flight-status#departure.
