The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it will slash flight capacity by 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports starting Friday, Nov. 7, due to a worsening shortage of air traffic controllers caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown. Now in its 37th day, the shutdown has become the longest in US history and is beginning to impact Alaska travelers directly.
Anchorage’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is among the airports listed for capacity reductions, joining major hubs such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA).
According to FAA officials, the cuts are being implemented “to preserve safety margins” as unpaid controllers increasingly call in sick, forcing the agency to curtail air traffic volumes across the system.
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – a critical gateway for Alaska travel – analysts estimate that the reduction could eliminate roughly 55 flights on a typical Friday, affecting more than 8,000 passengers. Alaska Airlines, which operates its largest hub at Sea-Tac, is expected to face cascading effects throughout its network, including flights to and from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and other Alaska destinations.
The phased reductions begin at 4% on Friday, rising to 10% early next week, and will primarily affect domestic flights between 6 am and 10 pm. local time. Long-haul international, cargo, and hub-to-hub routes will largely be spared, but ripple effects are expected nationwide, potentially disrupting up to 5,000 flights per day.
The FAA said the restrictions will remain “until safety levels can be assured and staffing stabilizes,” meaning the cuts could last indefinitely if the shutdown drags on. For travelers, that means planning ahead: airlines are urging passengers to check flight status frequently, arrive early at airports, and be prepared for longer TSA lines if screeners also call out.
Alaska Airlines and other major carriers are offering free rebooking and change-fee waivers for affected flights, though cash refunds may not be automatic since the cancellations are being classified as caused by an “extraordinary circumstance.”
Travelers with trip insurance or credit card protection may still be eligible for reimbursement of nonrefundable expenses.
With the holiday travel season approaching, the timing couldn’t be worse. Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away, and if the shutdown continues, Alaskans flying to the Lower 48 could face major disruptions at both ends of their journeys.
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