Detroit Metro Airport among 40 airports facing air traffic cuts amid government shutdown
The Detroit Metro Airport is among the 40 major markets facing flight cancellations during the government shutdown.
The details were listed in an emergency order obtained by CBS News, and the airport authority has since confirmed the information.
Detroit Metro, which services about 31 million passengers a year, joined other airports, including those in Chicago and Minneapolis, after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration announced on Wednesday that there would be a 10% reduction in air traffic. Duffy said 40 "high-volume" airports would be impacted.
The schedule cuts were to be phased in starting Friday at 6 a.m. local time at airports, with airlines reaching the full 10% mark by next week
It's unclear how many DTW flights would be cancelled in total, but at least 43 were canceled on Saturday, while 36 were canceled on Friday, according to FlightAware.
Delta Air Lines said on Saturday that "all planned FAA-directed flight cancellations" through Monday had been completed.
"We are providing additional flexibility to our customers traveling to, from or through the impacted markets to change, cancel or refund their flights, including Delta Main Basic fares, without penalty during this travel period," Delta said in a written statement.
DTW officials on Thursday said, "We encourage travelers to check their flight status with their airline before heading to DTW. We appreciate our customers' patience as the Airport Authority, airlines and federal partners adapt to changing conditions."
Travelers at DTW told CBS News Detroit on Wednesday that they were concerned about how their upcoming flights would be affected.
"Hopefully, our politicians can figure it out," said Kye Sampson, who was traveling through DTW from Houston.
"I know a lot of people in Atlanta that work for government agencies like the CDC, but mainly air traffic control and TSA, and it's really hard on their families," said Andrew Poliak, who was traveling for work from Atlanta. "But I'm a little worried because I'm supposed to visit my mom for Thanksgiving, but I don't see this ending before Thanksgiving the way it's going right now."
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford says if the shutdown continues, more restrictions could be on the way.