US shutdown: America’s top 10 busiest airports face flight cuts; over 5,000 planes delayed

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that, beginning Friday, 40 of the busiest airports in the US will see a 10% reduction in flights, citing the ongoing strain on air traffic controllers amid the federal government shutdown. Although the FAA has yet to make an official public announcement, The New York Times on Thursday reported a list of airports expected to be affected, which includes the nation’s top 10 busiest hubs.The federal government shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents to work without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Wednesday the cuts could be reversed if Democrats agree to reopen the government.According to data from the FAA and Airports Council International, these were the top 10 busiest US airports in 2024:It is located about 10 miles south of the Downtown Atlanta district, was the busiest airport in the US last year with 108,067,766 total passengers — a 3.3% increase from 2023. It recorded 52,511,402 passenger boardings — aka enplanements — a 3.06% increase year over year.This is located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, served 87,817,864 total passengers in 2024, up 7.4% from the prior year. Enplanements reached 42,351,316, a 7.91% increase from 2023.The airport handled 82,358,744 passengers in 2024, marking a 5.8% increase from 2023. It recorded 40,012,895 enplanements, up 5.68% from the prior year.It is located on Chicago's Northwest Side, saw 80,043,050 passengers in 2024, up 8.3% from the prior year. Enplanements totalled 38,575,693, up 7.62% from 2023.The airport had 76,588,028 total passengers last year, a 2% increase from the prior year. Enplanements fell 7.8% from the prior year to 37,760,834. The airport is located in Queens, New York, served 63,265,984 passengers, up 1.9% from 2023. It recorded 31,466,102 enplanements, up 2.15% from the prior year.The airport is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw 58,811,725 passengers last year, marking a 10% increase from the prior year. Enplanements rose 10.15% to 28,523,822. Flourish logoA Flourish chartThe airport is in Las Vegas, Nevada, had 58,482,005 total passengers last year, marking a 1.4% increase from the prior year. Enplanements totalled 28,244,966, a 1.25% increase.The airport handled 57,211,628 total passengers last year, down 0.9% from the prior year. It recorded 27,859,783 enplanements, down 0.62%. Flourish logoA Flourish chartThe airport served 55,926,566 total passengers in 2024, a 6.9% increase from the prior year. Enplanements increased 7.57% to 26,588,002.The 10% reduction also saw the delays in flights. At least 5,107 flights were delayed in the US on Thursday as of 5:38 p.m. ET, FlightAware reported. An additional 149 flights were cancelled nationwide, according to the flight tracking website. Airports with the highest delays included Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Boston Logan International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport, FlightAware said.