The Abridged version:
- Despite being spared from the FAA’s list of traffic cutback sites, Sacramento’s airport is already seeing flight cancelations.
- Many of the canceled flights are to or from major hubs on the administration’s target list, including San Francisco International and Los Angeles International.
Travelers to and from Sacramento this weekend may already be receiving some unfortunate flight updates.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday plans to scale back traffic by 10% in 40 of the country’s busiest airports, starting Friday. The cutbacks come as the federal government shutdown drags into its 38th day, making it the longest on record.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) was spared from the FAA’s list, but some local passengers are being affected nonetheless.
One airline looked for cancelations with ‘least possible disruption’
United Airlines used technology that determined where cancelations could occur “with the least possible disruption to customers,” according to a spokesperson.
The airline also said it will not be reducing flights between its eight hubs, seven of which are on the FAA’s list, in order to give impacted travelers maximum rebooking options.
Sacramento’s airport is not a United hub and is currently scheduled to face cancelations.
Handful of SMF flights canceled through the weekend
United Airlines confirmed six flights scheduled to depart or arrive in SMF Friday were canceled due to the shutdown and the FAA’s directives.
An additional eight United flights in and out of the capital city over the weekend have been canceled. Most are routes connecting to San Francisco International (SFO) or Los Angeles International (LAX), both of which are on the FAA’s affected list.
Out of 12 American Airlines flights from SMF Friday, one was canceled due to shutdown limitations, a spokesperson for the airline said.
“The majority of customers won’t be impacted, but for those who are, we are providing refunds and flexibility to change flights without a penalty,” American Airlines said in a statement. “We are urging leaders in Washington to reopen the government immediately.”
Southwest, which accounts for more than half of air traffic at SMF, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Savannah Kuchar is a reporter covering education. She came to Sacramento to be a part of the Abridged team and contribute to a crucial local news source.