| | Widespread cuts could start Friday | | by Colin Hogan, Newsletter editor |
|  | We're here with some disappointing news this morning: The federal government shutdown is about to hit air travel hard.
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that, if the shutdown continues past Friday morning, airlines must cut traffic by 10% at 40 major U.S. airports — meaning thousands of daily cancellations could follow.
This comes amid rising strain in the aviation sector: Controllers and critical aviation staff have gone more than a month without full pay, and callouts are climbing.
Which flights will go? It is not yet clear which routes or flights would be most affected by the flight reductions. But some major airlines have said they will be proactively reaching out to passengers with those details.
In any case, here are a few things you can do to stay ahead of any issues: - Check your email, airline's app or mobile alerts for flight changes.
- Have a plan B. If you can postpone your trip, or get there by car or train, it's worth considering those options.
- Get TSA PreCheck and/or Clear now — it isn't a guarantee if lines get really long, but it may help.
- Book flights with a card that gives you some built-in travel insurance protections.
- If you're flying over the upcoming holiday surge, prioritize nonstop routes or allow for long layovers, since it remains unknown which flights will be cut back.
Remember: If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you're eligible for a refund under U.S. Department of Transportation rules.
TPG will continue to report on this situation as it evolves.
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