FAA will cap traffic at 40 airports starting Friday. United will target non-hub domestic routes and offer refunds to any traveler who wants out.
FAA Announces Traffic Reduction
The US government shutdown has finally spilled over into airline schedules. The Federal Aviation Administration’s announced a decision to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 high volume markets beginning Friday to ease strain on short-staffed air traffic facilities. International routes are initially exempt, but domestic throughput at key markets will slow as the FAA meters traffic for safety.
United’s CEO Scott Kirby circulated a note to employees explaining how the carrier will comply. The gist is to protect the long-haul and hub-to-hub spine of the network and trim elsewhere, while keeping customers informed and flexible on options. The policy lines up with what the FAA and DOT outlined publicly.
US Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, and the FAA Administrator, Bryan Bedford noted that controllers have continued to work despite these uncertain times. The leaders of the transportation sector have hailed the continued work of air traffic controllers as some of the most noble in these conditions. The government reserved the right to extend additional measures.
CEO, Scott Kirby’s Statement
In a statement to United For Business members, Kirby addressed the restrictions, what it means for travelers and for the airline.
“United team:Earlier today, the FAA and DOT directed every airline to reduce their schedules during the government shutdown, across 40 domestic airports.
The FAA’s goal is to relieve pressure on the aviation system so that we can all continue to operate safely. That is the FAA’s highest priority, and ours as well. No matter what environment we’re operating in, we will not compromise on safety.
These reductions will start on Friday, November 7, and we will continue to make rolling updates to our schedule as the government shutdown continues so we can give our customers several days’ advance notice and to minimize disruption for them and for all of you.
United’s long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA. That’s important to maintain the integrity of our network, give impacted customers as many options as possible to resume their trip, and sustain our crew pairing systems.
Instead, we will focus our schedule reductions on regional flying and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hubs.
We’ll use our app, website and push notifications to communicate to customers directly if their flight changes, and to offer rebooking options. We want to provide them with as much information as we can and in a way that’s simple and easy to understand.
And importantly, any customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund if they do not wish to fly – even if their flight isn’t impacted. That includes non-refundable tickets and those customers with basic economy tickets.
Even with these schedule reductions, United and its United Express partners will still offer about 4,000 flights per day to fly our customers to their destinations. And because of the early November timing, our flights have more seats available than before the summer, meaning we should be able to find seats for many customers even if their flight is canceled.
Finally, thank you for going above and beyond during this government shutdown to take care of our customers and one another. Your professionalism and care will be more important than ever in the days ahead.” – Scott Kirby via United For Business
What This Means If You Are Booked On United
Expect thinner schedules on non-hub city pairs and small-to-medium markets that feed less connecting traffic. If your flight changes, United says it will reach out via the app, website, and push alerts with rebooking choices.
Kirby also pledged unusually broad flexibility. United’s public policy already allows refunds after significant schedule changes or cancellations, and the airline adds that anyone traveling during this period can ask for a refund even if their specific flight remains scheduled. That includes Basic Economy, which normally has strict rules. Refer to United’s pages on refunds and schedule changes.
Thanksgiving Timing Could Get Dicey
The cap begins this Friday and rolls into mid-November. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is historically the single busiest air travel day of the year, with more than 3 million people screened last year and similar levels expected again. A nationwide 10 percent cap layered on top of holiday crowds will likely push more spillover rebookings into earlier and later days around the holiday week. Watch the calendar and consider traveling off-peak if you can.
Officials have already warned of longer delays and creeping cancellations as controller staffing remains tight during the shutdown. If the standoff drags on, expect more conservative flow rates at busy facilities in an effort to decrease missed connections and rolling delays.
Will This Hurt United’s Earnings?
Short term, yes, it likely trims revenue. A 10 percent cap at 40 large markets reduces available seat capacity and constrains close-in holiday demand, which is normally high yield. Broader investor jitters were already visible after the announcement, with airline shares dipping on shutdown-related headlines. The extent of the hit will depend on how long the cap lasts and whether United can backfill passengers onto protected hub-to-hub and long-haul flights where yields are stronger. United’s FAA reduction of traffic response could prove powerful if consumers feel more confident heading into the headwinds of staffing shortages.
Costs could rise as well. Irregular-operations handling, reaccommodation, and more generous refund flexibility add expense, while load factors on some off-peak flights may fall if schedules are thinned unevenly. If the shutdown ends soon, the damage could be manageable. If it stretches through Thanksgiving week, the quarter’s unit revenue story will get tougher.
Flexibility Is Your Friend
If you have flexibility, move travel to less congested days. The United app will be your friend for same-day changes and alerts. If your plans are firm, the temporary refund option removes a lot of risk. And if you must travel on peak days, show up early and build longer connection buffers than usual. Official capacity caps plus holiday volume is a tough pairing.
Conclusion
United is following a clear directive to trim schedules while trying to keep its backbone intact. The focus on safeguarding long-haul and hub-to-hub flights makes sense and gives stranded travelers more options, but the timing near Thanksgiving raises the stakes. The refund promise reduces anxiety for customers, yet the 10 percent cap across 40 markets will pinch revenue if it lingers. If Congress finds a way out soon, the system can rebound quickly. If not, brace for fuller rebooking lists, longer lines, and a holiday travel season that asks for a little more patience than usual.
What do you think?
