Travelers flying from Houston this weekend could face delays as the Federal Aviation Administration reduces air traffic by about 10 percent nationwide because of staffing shortages during the government shutdown. The change affects 40 major markets, including George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports. Security wait times may reach up to an hour. Delta will cancel about 170 flights, United around 200, and American and Southwest have also announced cancellations, according to Click2Houston. The TSA said several checkpoints will stay open, but fewer lanes at Hobby Airport may cause longer lines.
United Airlines announced plans to cancel about 20 roundtrip flights a day in Houston, with United Express flights most affected. The airline said, “The goal is to relieve pressure on the national aviation system to keep us all operating safely,” while notifying impacted customers through its app, website, or text, as reported by KHOU.
Southwest, American, and Delta Airlines are also adjusting to the FAA-imposed reductions, with Southwest automatically rebooking passengers when possible and offering refunds. American expects minimal disruptions, while Delta will begin reducing flights on Friday as all carriers continue to adapt to the evolving situation.
