- White House cancels 10 per cent of flights
- This will impact Aussies travelling to the US
Aussies travelling to the US have been warned to expect delays as the White House begins to cancel daily flights because of the longest government shutdown in history.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reducing air traffic by 10 per cent across 40 ‘high-volume’ markets beginning Friday.
The decision aims at maintaining travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Experts predict the cutback could represent as many as 1,800 flights a day and upwards of 268,000 seats combined.
Some air carriers are offering all travelers, including those with non-refundable tickets, the option to voluntarily cancel their trip and receive a refund.
But Qantas has seen no impacts to its Australian services to the US, although the airline continues to monitor the situation day by day.
The reduction of flights impacts domestic flights rather than not international flights but Qantas customers with a connecting flights in the US could still face delays or cancellations.
The airline will work directly with customers who are impacted.
Airports in the United States’ six largest cities are among the 40 that will see thousands of flights canceled daily from Friday (pictured, people queuing at Melbourne International Airport)
Qantas has seen no impacts to its Australian services to the US
The reduction of flights is a result of air traffic controllers working unpaid since the US federal government shutdown began October 1
The process is the same for the airline United, which will not see impacts to long-haul international flights including to Australia.
Customer traveling during this period are eligible for a refund if they do not wish to fly with United, even if their flight isn’t impacted. That includes non-refundable tickets and those customers with basic economy tickets.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the US federal government shutdown began October 1.
Most have been on duty six days a week while putting in mandatory overtime and, if the shutdown continues until next Tuesday, they will miss a second paycheck.
With some calling out of work due to frustration, taking second jobs or not having money for child care or gas, staffing shortages during some shifts have led to flight delays at a number of US airports.
The FAA cutback stands to impact thousands of flights nationwide because the FAA directs more than 44,000 flights daily.
The flight shortages will affect the three major airports in the NYC area – JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty – as well as airports in Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington DC.