Editor’s Note: The above video is from the November 6, 2025 KXAN newscast.
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Four airports in Texas have received orders from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce flight numbers starting Friday.
Forty airports – Including Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Dallas Love Field (DAL), George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH), and William P. Hobby (HOU) – canceled 4% of flights. The number may rise to 10% within the next week.
According to the FAA, the mandate is an attempt to ease the burden on federal workers, such as air traffic control and TSA agents, who are not getting paid during the ongoing government shutdown.
Paul Bernardini, Head of Marketing at recklessa flight tracking app, says it’s up to airlines to decide which routes to cut.
“Each airline has been a little different, often cutting back on regional and smaller aircraft,” Bernardini said.
Texas airports excluded from the list are experiencing a domino effect of this. Within 12 hours of the order taking effect, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced delays on the ground, and flights were canceled at San Antonio and El Paso airports.
“The airlines said, ‘Look, if you don’t want to fly, we’ll refund those tickets, or we’ll reaccommodate you on another flight,’” Bernardini said. “Create a frequent flyer account with them if you don’t have one, so your information is already there. In this way, some accommodations may actually support themselves.
He added that many airports have committed to keeping international flights and flights from one hub to another safe from cancellation.
“We have the benefit of some warning to see if this impacts everyone’s travels,” he said. “If there are multiple carriers, consider all your options.”
Transportation alternatives
AAA It encourages travelers to have a backup plan in case problems occur on the trip.
“We do not know how long the shutdown itself will last and of course what effects it may have in the coming days,” AAA spokesman Daniel Armbruster said. “If you are traveling by plane, be prepared that you may have to drive or may have to cancel your plans completely.”
Armbruster said car rentals or charter buses are a convenient option for those considering shorter flights.
“There’s a lot of inventory as far as we know when it comes to rental cars at this point,” Armbruster said. “You’ll get where you’re going one way or another.”
FonlanThe luxury bus service said it saw a 31% increase in bookings this week compared to last week, and that it is able to increase capacity if necessary.
“I think it makes perfect sense to ride with us during this period. It’s very easy for people to arrive five minutes before departure, get some work done or take a break, then look up and get to the destination,” said Alex Danza, founder and CEO of the company.
A bus trip from Austin to Houston or Dallas, which takes about 3 1/2 hours, could be the same amount of time as a flight, taking into account security lines and potential delays, Danza said.
“It’s very similar to the experience of flying first or business class internationally,” Danza said. “It’s a lot easier.”