Flight cancellations spike at PHL after FAA cuts flights at 40 airports
Dozens of flights are canceled at Philadelphia International Airport on Friday after an FAA-ordered cut in air traffic at the nation's 40 busiest airports.
This is part of the FAA phasing in flight cancellations at PHL and the other top 40 airports, eventually reaching the full 10% reduction next week.
By the end of the day Friday, there were 30 flight cancellations and 121 delays at PHL, according to FlightAware. There were 28 delays and 25 cancellations as of 7:30 a.m. Saturday. By Saturday night, there were more than 220 delay and 57 cancellations.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the reduction in air traffic would reduce pressure on air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay during the government shutdown.
Airlines have been scrambling to comply. Around 6:30 a.m. ET, about 30 minutes after the cutbacks began at 6 a.m., there were already over 800 flight cancellations nationwide and over 560 delays.
"I have flown for five weeks straight for work, so I've gotten used to it a little bit, but it felt like today was going to be super stressful," said Matt Daniele, who was flying to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "So we're here nice and early."
PHL said flyers should check in with their airline for the latest, and sign up for text message and email alerts.
"I have to be at work, and this is ridiculous. I'm praying that they get this together, because this is horrible," said traveler Destiny Jackson. "We have to definitely hold our government officials accountable for their actions that are impacting how the world is operating."
Some travelers flew out early on Thursday to avoid the cuts that began Friday. Others are booking backup options and are trying to work around the delays and cancellations that come their way.
One couple even booked a rental car just in case there was no convenient flight back to PHL from Las Vegas.
Aviation attorney Mark Dombroff recommends travelers with critical travel plans consider booking a backup flight, but only under certain conditions.
"If you absolutely, positively have to be there or want to be there, get some backup, absolutely," Dombroff said. He advised that backup flights should be booked on a different airline and depart after the original flight, to avoid conflicts if one is canceled.
"Most of the airlines allow you to cancel a reservation within 24 hours with no penalty," he added. "Or if you're using mileage and perhaps even dollars, you can re-bank the miles or bank the dollars for the future flight."
Travelers face cancellations, delays at PHL
Travelers faced a growing number of delays and cancellations at PHL Friday. Many passengers arrived hours early, hoping to avoid the worst of the disruptions.
"It's extremely uncomfortable, extremely frustrating," said Utah native Kevin Giddins, who changed his travel plans at the last minute. "Do they realize they work for us?"
Giddins said he switched from flying out of Baltimore-Washington International Airport to PHL after learning about additional shutdown-related flight cuts there.
"Where before I would get to the airport just in time to hop on the plane, not anymore," he said. "I'm getting there early and checking my phone before I even get to the airport."
Lou Carbone of Minnesota also arrived early after learning his original flight home had been canceled without notice. He said he was rebooked on a new itinerary that included an overnight layover in Atlanta.
"It's absolutely crazy," Carbone said. "I can't believe this country could end up in a stalemate that inconveniences the entire population."
Other travelers said they were less concerned about delays than about safety. Jenni Preston of Delaware said her flight to Seattle was delayed about 20 minutes, but her main concern was the fatigue of unpaid air traffic controllers.
"I've just been nervous about safety," Peterson said. "I don't really care if it's inconvenient for me, as long as it's still safe."
Her concern comes as CBS News reports at least three close calls between planes have been documented at major airports, including in Los Angeles and Boston, since the shutdown began.
The FAA said the current flight reductions are part of "phase one" of its plan, with more cuts possible if the government shutdown continues. Travelers are being urged to check flight status updates frequently and plan for potential delays.