FAA is canceling flights at Newark Airport due to the gov't shutdown
The FAA is reducing flights by about 10 percent as the government shutdown continues.
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The number of flights at Newark Airport on Friday was reduced by 4%.
The move is mandated by the FAA as more air traffic controllers call out of work due to the ongoing government shutdown.
That percentage of flights being canceled at the airport will swell to 10% by next Thursday. However, airlines will try and alert travelers at least two days in advance of any cancellation.
The reduction in flights comes about on the 38th day of the government shutdown.
It’s causing anxiety for travelers and travel agents who are canceling getaways.
News 12 spoke with a travel agent from Almost There Travel Group, who suggests people rebook or extend trips if concerned about dealing with delays and cancellations.
Travel agent Kirstin Zollo says people might also consider buying travel insurance, as well as booking flights directly with the airline.
“I’m actually canceling a cruise today because the clients are scared, they aren’t going to get back into the country with flight delays and be stuck somewhere,” says Zollo.
Zollo says others are considering driving to destinations to avoid flying.
“I have clients that are going down to Florida and starting to think about driving instead of flying. Having small children and being stuck on the tarmac or stuck in the airport, it’s every parents fear basically.”
United Airlines flies 400 flights a day out of Newark.
The FAA says the flight reduction is a safety precaution.
