TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa International Airport is one of 40 airports across the country that will have an FAA mandated 10% reduction in flights that will start on Friday.
The flight reductions are a direct result of the government shutdown as an increasing number of TSA employees and air traffic controllers fail to show up for shifts.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said there will be a temporary reduction air traffic by 10% in 40 markets nationwide.
The reduction will be gradual, with it beginning at a 4% reduction Friday, 6% on Nov. 11, 8% on Nov. 13 and 10% on Nov. 14
The official list of affected airports is below:
- ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
- ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
- BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport
- CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
- DAL – Dallas Love Field
- DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- DEN – Denver International Airport
- DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport
- FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
- HNL – Honolulu International Airport
- HOU – William P. Hobby Airport
- IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport
- IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport
- IND – Indianapolis International Airport
- JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
- LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
- LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
- LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport
- MCO – Orlando International Airport
- MDW – Chicago Midway International Airport
- MEM – Memphis International Airport
- MIA – Miami International Airport
- MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
- OAK – Oakland International Airport
- ONT – Ontario International Airport
- ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- PDX – Portland International Airport
- PHL – Philadelphia International Airport
- PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- SAN – San Diego International Airport
- SDF – Louisville International Airport
- SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
- SFO – San Francisco International Airport
- SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport
- TEB – Teterboro Airport
- TPA – Tampa International Airport
International flights will not be reduced, according to the Transportation Department.
“My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This isn’t about politics – it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “It’s safe to fly today, and it will continue to be safe to fly next week because of the proactive actions we are taking.”
“We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely,” said Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford. “The FAA will continue to closely monitor operations, and we will not hesitate to take further action to make sure air travel remains safe.”
Travel expert Terry Ward says travelers should be prepared to be very flexible with their plans.
The TSA employees and air traffic controllers are required to work, but they are not being paid, and many have been forced to take on second jobs to pay bills.
At the airport, the potential for canceled flights is creating problems for travelers.
“It seems to me that the cascading delays could be huge, if you cut 10% of the flights or slow downs at the 40 largest airports,” said Jim Albert, who is flying to London. “that just creates a chaotic, mad formula that I don’t know how you solve that one.”
He’s worried about getting back.
“We are flying internationally, and I think that will take priority, and we’ll probably get out but who knows if we will be coming back to the States as planned in about a week,” Albert said.
Sara Lucas blamed the government for the problem.
“My concern is being able to get back. I would obviously like the Government to get their stuff squared away so we are not all affected,” said Lucas.
Tampa International Airport issued a statement as a result of the F.A.A. mandated flight reductions.
“Tampa International Airport is closely monitoring developments following the U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA’s issuance of statements about potential restrictions on air traffic in 40 high-volume markets.
The airport is currently awaiting information about how TPA may be affected by this plan.
“People don’t know what to expect. Tomorrow will be the big day, and we start to see the impacts of this. They are predicting 3,500 to 4,000 flights a day being canceled or delayed,” said Ward.
She said travelers should also plan to book direct flights if possible.
“This is a time, if you have travel plans you’ll want to be flying non stop if possible. If your travel is not urgent, I would think about rescheduling, starting tomorrow for the next few days while we figure this out,” said Ward.
The FAA is also prohibiting certain visual flight rule approaches, prohibiting commercial space launches between 6:01 a.m. ET and 9:59 p.m. ET, and prohibiting parachute operations and photo missions near affected facilities.
Airlines will be required to issue full refunds, but not for secondary costs.
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