U.S. cancelled flights: How the government shutdown could affect Canadian travellers

explainer

The Federal Aviation Administration says it plans to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 'high-volume' markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.

The Associated Press

Flight cancellations have begun at 40 United States airports, including those in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, due to the continuing U.S. government shutdown.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration ordered a four per cent reduction in air traffic for Friday, ramping up to 10 per cent by next week. But Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that number could rise to 20 per cent if the shutdown continues.

The FAA is imposing the cuts – which could include up to 1,800 flights and about 268,000 seats – to take pressure off air traffic controllers. As federal