PHOENIX — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed Thursday that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is among 40 major U.S. airports where flight operations will be reduced by 10% due to air traffic controller staffing shortages.
The cuts, announced Wednesday, are part of a national effort to reduce strain on controllers who have been working without pay since the government shutdown began Oct. 1. The FAA said the reductions will affect most of the nation’s busiest airports, including hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York.
Airlines were instructed to begin canceling flights Thursday and will notify affected passengers. Major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta, and United said they will issue refunds, including for normally non-refundable tickets.
Industry analysts estimate that the reduction could mean up to 1,800 canceled flights and about 268,000 fewer seats nationwide.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the decision was necessary to ensure safety and stability in air traffic operations. He noted that even if the shutdown ends before Friday, normal operations would not resume immediately until staffing levels improve.
Sky Harbor, the 15th busiest airport in the U.S., has already experienced multiple ground delay advisories this week, with average delays approaching one hour due to short staffing.
Airport officials are encouraging travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, arrive early, and monitor security wait times at skyharbor.com.
The cuts highlight the growing impact of the federal shutdown on Arizona’s travel and tourism economy. With Sky Harbor serving over 45 million passengers annually, even modest reductions in flight capacity are expected to ripple through business travel and tourism across the state.
