Trips are canceled, delayed as air traffic cuts continue

Flight changes amid government shutdown have caused confusion at U.S. airports.

- BY SUHAUNA HUSSAIN AND KAREN GARCIA

Lauren Chavez had scrolled through a series of horror stories on TikTok with videos showing people camping out in U.S. airports for hours on end.

She decided to play it safe, arriving at Los Angeles International Airport with her 4-year-old daughter and fiance in tow six hours early for their Friday afternoon flight home to Albuquerque.

But the scene at LAX was relatively calm as she sat cross-legged wearing a Disney sweatshirt she'd purchased while spending a few days exploring Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Besides a few flights delayed by 30 minutes to an hour, most appeared to be running on schedule.

"We anticipated long TSA lines. The airport we have [in Albuquerque] is very chill. So LAX kind of scares us, we don't know what to anticipate," Chavez, 28, said.

Since the government announced last week it would be requiring airlines to reduce the number of flights to minimize risk during the government shutdown, travelers have been bracing for significant disruptions. Flight reductions are expected to climb over the next few days as the Federal Aviation Administration scales back additional air travel to take pressure off air traffic controllers, who have been working unpaid during the shutdown.

According to an emergency order released by the Trump administration, airlines had to cut flights by 4% on Friday and then ramp up to 6% by Tuesday, 8% by Thursday and 10% by this Friday. The administration said that number could rise to 20% if the shutdown continues.