5 things to know about shutdown-related flight cuts at DIA

DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver International Airport is on the unofficial list of major markets affected by shutdown-related flight cuts across 40 major U.S. markets, and the effects are expected to come soon.

The government shutdown is now the longest on record and has affected countless workers who are going unpaid. This includes airport workers, who have gone without pay since the start of October. With the shutdown lingering, the Federal Aviation Administration announced on Wednesday that it would make changes during the shutdown, which includes reducing air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets.

Now, a preliminary list has been obtained by The Washington Post, CBS News and ABC News, and DIA is one of the markets expected to experience the effects of the reduced air traffic.

Here’s everything to know about the flight cuts:

Why does the FAA have to reduce air traffic?

The FAA said it had to reduce air traffic in some markets to maintain travel safety, as air traffic controllers are showing signs of strain during the shutdown. The Hill reported that many major air hubs are short-staffed, while the Associated Press said air traffic controllers are working six days a week and putting in mandatory overtime.

What flights will be cut?

Reducing air traffic means cutbacks to thousands of flights nationwide. AP reported that this could mean cuts to as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, according to an estimate by aviation analytics firm Cirium.

The FAA and DIA have not spoken out on how many flights could be impacted in Denver. However, airlines are starting to speak out.

United Airlines said it has already begun the process and made cuts through Sunday. The airline has canceled 4% each day, per guidance from the FAA. United said this represents about 20 round-trip flights a day in Denver, which will primarily be United Express flights.

What airports are affected?

The preliminary list of 40 markets operating at reduced capacity includes major airports like DIA, New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Los Angeles International (LAX), Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW), Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), San Francisco International (SFO) and Orlando International (MCO). The full list of airports can be found here.

The official list is expected to be announced later, however, major airports like DIA are likely on the list. Steve Cowell, an Aviation expert, told FOX31 that a 10% reduction in air traffic nationwide will ripple through every major market, likely including DIA.

When do flight cancellations start?

Flights have already been getting delayed as airports are short-staffed, but AP reported that passengers should find out about cancellations by Thursday, and The Hill said airports across the country should see a reduction in flights starting Friday.

How will this affect DIA?

The shutdown has already affected airport workers, who have gone without pay for over a month. DIA started a food pantry for federal workers at the airport as the shutdown lingers. However, it hasn’t caused too much of an effect on flights on Thursday.

On Thursday morning, the wait times at security are all less than 10 minutes. Meanwhile, FlightAware, a live flight tracker website, isn’t tracking many cancellations, but there have been delays. There are only two cancelled Southwest flights and a little over 100 delayed flights, with 55 delayed Southwest flights and 24 delayed United Airlines flights. DIA has the most delayed flights by destination airport as of 11 a.m. on Thursday.

As for future flights, it’s unclear so far how many will be cancelled or delayed at DIA. FOX31 reached out to the airport on the preliminary list, and DIA provided the following statement:

“DEN does not manage flight operations, so questions about impacts should be directed to the FAA or airlines. We advise passengers to check with their airlines for the latest information pertaining to delays or cancellations,” the airport said in a statement.

FOX31 reached out to the FAA, which said via email that it is not responding to routine media inquiries due to a lapse in funding, but provided the following statement:

“As Secretary Duffy has said, there have been increased staffing shortages across the system. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations,” the FAA said.

The Hill and the Associated Press contributed to this report.