Las Vegas Airport among 40 U.S. hubs facing flight reductions amid government shutdown

Harry Reid International Airport is set to reduce air traffic by 10% on Friday as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) nationwide effort to maintain safety, officials said, amid growing strain on air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown.

The cutbacks will affect 40 “high-volume” airports across more than two dozen states, including major hubs such as Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco, The Nevada Independent reported. In cities like New York, Houston, and Chicago, multiple airports are expected to experience reductions.

At Reid Airport, 35 flights—18 arrivals and 17 departures—have already been canceled on Friday by Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines, according to the airport’s website. Officials warn that additional cancellations could occur over the weekend if the shutdown continues.

The airport has already seen eight consecutive months of passenger declines through September, with traffic down 4.7% from last year. In 2024, Reid handled a record 58.4 million passengers, ranking seventh-busiest in the U.S., but Las Vegas visitor volume has fallen 8% this year.

Southwest Airlines, which accounts for roughly one-third of Reid’s monthly passenger traffic, reassured travelers that most flights will operate as scheduled. Passengers booked through Nov. 12 may change plans at no cost or request refunds if they choose not to travel.

United Airlines, the airport’s fourth-largest carrier, said on Thursday it would cut 4% of flights nationwide Friday through Sunday, though the airline did not provide further details at that point. The reductions are expected to result in fewer than 200 cancellations per day across the United States.

The flight reductions come as Las Vegas prepares for a surge in travelers for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix from Nov. 20-22 and the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford called the cuts unprecedented. “I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” he said at a news conference, as reported by the Associated Press.

Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1, often putting in six-day workweeks and mandatory overtime. Some have been forced to call out, take second jobs, or cope with childcare and transportation costs, creating staffing shortages and resulting in flight delays nationwide.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the reductions as a “proactive” step in response to delays already affecting the system.

Meanwhile, travel and tourism leaders, along with Nevada lawmakers, criticized the shutdown, now in its 35th day.

“Travel disruptions are always a concern given our tourism-based economy, and we hope they can be avoided,” said Virginia Valentine, CEO of the Nevada Resort Association.

Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said the FAA’s decision was necessary for safety but warned of inevitable travel disruptions. “The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system, forcing difficult operational decisions that disrupt travel and damage confidence in the U.S. air travel experience,” he said.

Nevada lawmakers expressed concern that reducing flights could further hurt the state’s tourism-dependent economy.

Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) said: “Las Vegas businesses and workers will pay the price for this decision to reduce flights to Harry Reid International Airport.” Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) added that the cuts would “further hurt our tourism industry,” while Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) highlighted broader economic pressures from tariffs and trade policies.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) emphasized that the shutdown should end to prevent harming Americans, and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) said the impact on Nevada’s tourism industry underscores the urgency of ending the shutdown.

Moreover, airline industry analyst Henry Harteveldt criticized the short notice, saying airlines had only 48 hours to adjust schedules that were planned months in advance. “It’s going to result in a lot of chaos,” he said, suggesting the administration may be using aviation safety pressures to push Congress toward resolving the shutdown.

AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz advised travelers to monitor airline apps and social media for updates and to allow extra time at airports.

Estimates suggest the reductions could affect up to 1,800 flights and 268,000 seats. Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, noted that Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport could see 121 of 1,212 flights canceled on Friday if cuts are distributed evenly.