Texas travelers face flight cancellations, delays after FAA orders cuts during shutdown

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Four Texas airports received orders from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to cut flight numbers starting Friday.

Forty airports — including Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW), Dallas Love Field (DAL), George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU) — canceled 4% of flights. The number could increase to 10% over the next week.

According to the FAA, the mandate is an attempt to ease the burden on federal workers, like air traffic control and TSA agents, who are unpaid during the ongoing government shutdown.

Paul Bernardini, head of marketing at Flighty, a flight-tracking app, said it’s up to airlines to decide which routes to cut. 

“Every airline has been a bit different,” Bernardini said, “It’s often more regional, smaller aircraft flights that they are cutting down on.”

Texas airports excluded from the list are seeing domino effects of the order. Within 12 hours of the order taking effect, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced ground delays, and San Antonio and El Paso airports had flight cancellations. 

“Airlines have said, ‘Hey, look, if you don’t want to fly, we will refund those tickets, or we’re going to re-accommodate you on another trip,’” Bernardini said. “Create that frequent flyer account with them if you don’t have it, so your information is already in there. That way, some of the accommodations might already support themselves.

He added many airports have committed to keeping international and hub-to-hub flights safe from cancellations.

“We do have the advantage of some heads-up to see if this affects everybody’s flights,” he said. “If there are multiple carriers, consider all your options.”

Transportation Alternatives

AAA encourages travelers to have a backup plan in case of flight issues. 

“We don’t know how long the shutdown itself is going to last and of course the effects that could come from it in the days to come,” AAA spokesperson Daniel Armbruster said. “If you are flying, be prepared for the possibility that you may have to drive or you may have to cancel your plans altogether.”

Armbruster said rental cars or charter buses are viable options for those considering shorter flights. 

“There’s plenty of inventory as far as we know when it comes to rental cars at this point,” Armbruster said. “You’re gonna get where you’re going one way or another.”

Vonlane, a luxury bus service, said it’s seen a 31% increase in bookings this week compared to last week, and it’s able to increase capacity if needed. 

“I think it makes perfect sense to ride with us during this period,” said Alex Danza, the company’s founder and CEO, “It’s super easy for people to arrive five minutes before the departure time, they get some work done or they rest, and they look up and they’re at the destination.” 

Danza said a bus ride from Austin to Houston or Dallas, around 3 and a half hours, could be the same amount of time it takes to fly, considering security lines and possible delays. 

“It’s very much like an international first class or business class experience,” Danza said. “It’s just a lot easier.”