Orlando International Airport is among 40 airports facing a 10 percent reduction in flights as of Friday, Nov. 7 in response to the federal government shutdown. The cuts come just as the high-travel holiday season approaches.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the flight reductions are part of a contingency plan to maintain safety standards during the shutdown. The plan aims to temporarily reduce the number of flights across high-volume airports to adjust to staffing shortages.
MCO handles about 1,000 flights a day, so a 10 percent cut of flights would impact around 100 flights per day. According to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, with more than 57 million passengers, MCO is the nation’s ninth busiest airport.
Staffing issues and fatigue among air traffic controllers, who have been working unpaid during the shutdown, have already led to increased delays and ground stops at several major airports in recent weeks, including Atlanta, New York and Washington, D.C.
MCO passengers are encouraged to stay alert for changes in the coming days. Officials advise travelers to check flight status frequently, arrive early, stay flexible and sign up for alerts from the airport and airlines.
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