Flight cancellations begin at MSP Airport amid FAA's cuts to air traffic
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to slash airline capacity at dozens of U.S. airports because of the ongoing government shutdown, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The list said MSP is one of the 40 areas that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said will have their air traffic cut by 10% in the coming days. Duffy said the cause of the cuts is a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are working without pay because of the shutdown.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which operates MSP, said it was aware of the reduction plans but didn't have any information about local impacts.
"Travelers are encouraged to stay connected with their airline for the latest flight information," the commission said.
The FAA says cuts will begin Friday and reach the full 10% mark by next week.
The planned reductions come weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday, during which AAA forecasts 2.4 million Americans plan to take a flight.
A spokesperson for Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines said the airline will be adjusting flight schedules beginning Friday.
"We expect impacts to our customers' travel and will directly contact our customers whose flights are impacted," the spokesperson wrote.
Delta Airlines said it will be canceling approximately 170 flights nationwide on Friday, and United says it will cut about 200. Sun Country says it will be adjusting flights and will directly contact customers impacted.
A group of professors and nursing students from the College of Saint Benedict, who are catching a connecting flight to Zambia said they are nervous they wont have a return flight home in two weeks.
"I hope this all gets resolved before we get back," said Mary Zelenak, one of the professors traveling to Zambia.
Domestic travelers are nervous as well.
"I'm going to sunny Las Vegas and I hope to come home," said Joe Harewicz from Minneapolis. "I'm in Vegas, rolling the dice whether I get home or not."
On Saturday, Ryan Abey flew into MPS from the Washington D.C. area. While the flight was a success, he's considering a plan b for the trip home if his flight changes.
"It's an 18-hour drive to Maryland so, got to get back," said Abey. "If the plane doesn't go, we'll deal with it on Monday."
Hertz says in the past two days they've seen a 20 percent increase in reservations for one-way car rentals.
"We join the airlines in urging Congress to swiftly pass a clean continuing resolution and restore certainty for travelers. Every day of delay creates unnecessary disruption," Gil West, CEO of Hertz, wrote in a statement. "We are grateful to Secretary Duffy who we know is working hard to bring leaders together to end the shutdown."
Avis and Turo tell the Associated Press they've also seen an increase in bookings.
Amtrak says people seeking out train rides picked up even before the shutdown and now they're heading into a busy holiday season.
According to Airports Council International, MSP saw the 18th-most passengers among U.S. airports in 2024 — more than 37 million people traveled through it.
The shutdown is on its 37th day as of Thursday, making it the longest in U.S. history. The previous record was set in 2019, during President Trump's first term.
"I think they just gotta end this shutdown, it's gotta be over," Mork said. "I mean, lots of different reasons, but SNAP and different benefits like that lapsing is horrible and airport travel has been a nightmare this year. So they just, they need to end the shutdown."
Gunnar Olson with Thrifty Traveler says when flights are canceled, passengers have rights.
"Airlines are being a little more lenient with refund requests. Go ahead and get a refund," he said.