Hawaii transportation director gives update on flights cancelled due to government shutdown

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Hawaii Department of Transportation is holding a press conference to discuss how the government shutdown is slowing, and even cancelling, flights through Honolulu.

State DOT Director Ed Sniffen will talk about the Federal Aviation Administration’s emergency order , mandating a phased reduction in flight operations at at least 40 “high impact airports” across the country.

The press conference takes place Friday at 2 p.m., at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Terminal 1.

Airlines have been canceling flights at 40 of the busiest U.S. airports in response to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

Controllers and TSA agents have been working without pay since the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1.

There has been a nationwide trend in aviatio