Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

Airlines ask the FAA to let them cancel flights because one critical role is short-staffed

Airlines seek FAA permission to cancel flights amidst air traffic controller shortages.

Ashley Jones
By
A plane taking off of the runway.
Pascal Meier / Unsplash

Stuck at your gate wondering why your already-once-rescheduled flight was canceled and has left you stranded? You’re not alone. As summer travel peaks, the U.S. airline industry faces mounting disruptions attributed to a shortage of one critical position — air traffic controllers. If you plan to fly with national brands like American Airlines, Delta Airlines, or United Airlines in the coming months, your travel plans could be impacted by an upcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decision.

Thanks to a recent push by multiple airlines to authorize flight cancellations amid staffing shortages, the answer to whether or not your favorite airline will schedule fewer flights now lies with the FAA. In a letter dated August 7, 2023, Airlines for America, on behalf of major carriers nationwide, asked the FAA to grant a waiver extension, allowing for a continued decrease in services through October 28. 

an airplane cockpit in the foreground with an air traffic control tower in the background
Hilmi Işılak/Pexels / Pexels

How an FAA waiver extension could help airlines

Originally issued March 22, 2023, the waiver allowed carriers to reduce up to 10% of slots held at New York City area airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, La Guardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in D.C. until September 15, 2023. Citing staffing air traffic shortages at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, the waiver was granted in an effort to mitigate operational disruptions caused by the understaffing. 

Recommended Videos

According to the Airlines for America letter, that challenge remains unresolved. The New York TRACON facility is still critically understaffed at just 54% capacity, leading to a ripple effect that impacts airports across the region — and, in turn, travelers. With United Airlines already announcing plans to scale back flights from its Newark hub and other carriers adjusting midweek service to meet demand, it’s clear that the issue is far-reaching and requires a comprehensive solution.

Related

“Carriers have been hiring aggressively and will continue to make significant investments in human and technological resources to ensure that even more reserve crews exist to improve resiliency when irregular operations occur,” Airlines for America stated in the letter, emphasizing that the staffing issue, compounded by severe weather outside of their control, warranted continued flexibility in slot usage rules. 

The recent storms that battered the East Coast have highlighted the fragile state of the aviation system. On Monday, August 8, more than 9,000 flights were delayed, and another 1,769 were canceled, according to the FlightAware flight tracker, causing a domino effect of disruptions nationwide. 

Seated man with feet propped up on luggage looks longingly out airport window at plane taking off
JESHOOTS.com / Pexels

What an FAA waiver extension means for travelers

As the FAA deliberates on whether or not to extend the waiver, travelers find themselves caught in the crossfire of increased cancellations during this critical air traffic controller shortage. The FAA’s consideration of extending the waiver is a pivotal moment, as it will determine whether the airlines’ request aligns with the best interests of the flying public. As airlines seek to balance their operational needs with passengers’ expectations, a collaborative effort is essential to ensure a reliable and efficient aviation system that serves both industry interests and traveler needs.

In the meantime, passengers are advised to stay informed about their flight statuses, especially during peak travel times and periods of inclement weather. While airlines and the FAA work toward a resolution, travelers should consider allowing extra time for potential delays and disruptions, keeping in mind that air traffic controller shortages are a reality that could persist throughout the remainder of the summer season and into the fall.

Editors' Recommendations

Ashley Jones
Ashley Jones
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ashley is a freelance journalist with bylines across a range of online and print publications.
These are the best airlines for every type of traveler
Have certain requirements for your travel needs? Look through the best airlines to fly to find your match
Passengers boarding a flight.

Are you the kind of traveler that needs to know the flight will always leave on time? Or that your precious fur baby will travel as safely as possible? Or how about the passenger that needs to know the seat isn't going to break your spine during the flight? Flying with a dog, wanting the most comfortable airline, or the one that will get you there without an issue - the best airlines to fly in every category are right here, thanks to a study conducted by WalletHub.

WalletHub compared 11 airlines — the 9 largest U.S. air carriers, plus two regional ones — across 14 different metrics, including cancellation and delay rates, baggage mishaps, and in-flight comfort. The study also took into account cost so that low-cost carriers wouldn't be penalized for not providing amenities their passengers don't expect.

Read more
Need a last-minute flight? A new study says these airlines offer the most affordable options
Need cheap airfare for your last-minute flight? A new study ranks the airlines
Airline ticket to Las Vegas and cell phone on a table

If you’ve ever had to book an airline ticket at the last minute, you’ve probably discovered the skies aren’t always so friendly to your bank account. While waiting until the last minute to book a flight is not the most cost-efficient way to travel, it sometimes is necessary, be it for an emergency, a cross-country relationship, or simply choosing to get away on a whim. Whatever the reason, don’t expect a break from airlines, which are known for jacking up their prices in the days just before flight departures.

However, when it comes to the dent that last-minute bookings can put in your wallet, all airlines are not created equal. A new study from Upgraded Points recently ranked the five major U.S. airlines — Spirit, United, American, Southwest, and Delta — from most to least affordable for last-minute ticket purchases. Rankings were based on the cost of one-way tickets on the top 10 most popular domestic flight routes in the U.S., based on Google Flights data of average ticket costs over a 10-day period in February 2023. The average cost of a last-minute, one-way ticket for each of the five airlines was then calculated based on each airline and route combination.

Read more
Which airlines have the happiest flight attendants?
Happy flight attendants can go a long way toward making your flight more enjoyable
A flight attendant talking to a passenger on a plane.

If you watched SNL in the '90s, David Spade's flight attendant sketch still has you saying "buh-bye" when you exit your flight. The reality is a lot of an airplane's crew feel that way on a daily — or "flightly" — basis. When you can tell the crew is having a miserable time, your flight always seems to last forever. If you want to have a good time on your next trip, these are the airlines that have the happiest flight attendants to take the experience up a notch.

Whether you need a job or want to make sure your trip is a little more fun, these are the airlines to get you to your final destination with as little fuss as possible.

Read more