Airlines cancel flights nationwide amid government shutdown — MacArthur Airport still unaffected
Nationwide, airlines have already cancelled approximately 500 flights for Friday.
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As the federal government shutdown stretches on, the ripple effects are reaching travelers across the country — with airlines cancelling hundreds of flights ahead of the weekend. But for now, passengers flying out of Long Island MacArthur Airport are feeling fortunate.
“I’m lucky. Very lucky,” said traveler Dana Tripodi, who was preparing for her flight Thursday night.
MacArthur Airport in Islip is not among the 40 high-volume airports ordered to reduce capacity by up to 10%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the move is necessary to maintain safety standards as the shutdown causes staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.
Major New York-area airports — JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty — are all on the list of affected hubs.
“I’m relieved that we’re not as badly affected as some people,” said Neil Heft, of Bayport, who was flying out of MacArthur.
Nationwide, airlines have already cancelled approximately 500 flights for Friday, and officials expect the reductions to roll out gradually — starting at four percent and rising to ten percent by Nov. 14.
While MacArthur Airport has not yet seen cancellations directly tied to the shutdown, many of its destinations — including Baltimore, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale — are on the affected list. That’s left some passengers worried about getting back to Long Island.
“I really hope that doesn’t affect my flight home,” said Nolan Adelsky, of East Setauket. “Kind of wish this wasn’t the case.”
Major airlines including United, Delta and American are offering refunds to travelers. Passengers are being urged to check flight status frequently and confirm details before heading to the airport.
List of the 40 Affected Airports:
ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport
CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
DAL – Dallas Love Field
DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
DEN – Denver International Airport
DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport
FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
HNL – Honolulu International Airport
HOU – William P. Hobby Airport
IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport
IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport
IND – Indianapolis International Airport
JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport
MCO – Orlando International Airport
MDW – Chicago Midway International Airport
MEM – Memphis International Airport
MIA – Miami International Airport
MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
OAK – Oakland International Airport
ONT – Ontario International Airport
ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
PDX – Portland International Airport
PHL – Philadelphia International Airport
PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
SAN – San Diego International Airport
SDF – Louisville International Airport
SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
SFO – San Francisco International Airport
SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport
TEB – Teterboro Airport
TPA – Tampa International Airport
