Denver International Forced to Reduce Flights Due to Shutdown

Not exactly the kind of thing you want to read a few weeks before Thanksgiving, but Denver International Airport is about to be severely impacted by the government shutdown, as its on a list of 40 markets the FAA has ordered to reduce air traffic by 10%, due to lack of staffing.

The move is being made to ensure air traffic safety, as controllers are paid by the federal government and not the individual airports, and airports across the country are running into staffing concerns, especially as the holidays approach.

Related: 25 Non Conspiracy Facts You May Not Know About DIA

Denver International specifically requested a waiver from the FAA on Wednesday to pay its controllers out of airport revenue, ensuring that they are taken care of during the government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history. Air traffic controllers have not been paid since the shutdown began on October 1.

“This is a critical time for travel both here at DEN and around the country. Staffing issues are already being identified at a number of airports, impacting travel. As the shutdown drags on, air traffic controllers, in particular, are being stressed unnecessarily,” said Phil Washington, CEO of D.I.A. “As part of our airport family, it’s our hope that we can reduce the hardship on them by covering their wages during the shutdown, with reimbursement by the FAA later. We would love to be able to do more and provide wage support for all the federal workers at DEN, as they are all critical to our operation, but given the number of federal employees, we are only able to support controllers at this time.”

Get our free mobile app

To combat being understaffed due to the shutdown, on Wednesday the FAA ordered 40 major airports to reduce air traffic, including Denver International.

The other airports affected are:

• Anchorage International
• Atlanta (Hartsfield-Jackson) International
• Boston Logan International
• Baltimore/Washington International
• Charlotte Douglas International
• Chicago Midway
• Chicago O'Hare International
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
• Dallas Love Field
• Dallas/Fort Worth International
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
• Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
• Honolulu International
• Houston Hobby Airport
• George Bush/Houston Intercontinental
• Indianapolis International
• Las Vegas/McCarran International
• Los Angeles International (LAX)
• Louisville International
• Memphis International
• Miami International
• Minneapolis/St Paul International
• New York/John F Kennedy International
• New York/LaGuardia
• Newark/Liberty International
• Oakland International
• Ontario International
• Orlando International
• Portland International
• Philadelphia International
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International
• San Diego International
• San Francisco International
• Salt Lake City International
• Seattle/Tacoma International
• Teterboro Airport
• Tampa International
• Washington/Dulles International
• Washington/Ronald Reagan National