FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford warns that widespread controller absences amid the federal government shutdown are already inflicting main flight delays and will worsen as Thanksgiving approaches.
United Airways prospects with flights booked to journey throughout the federal government shutdown shall be eligible for a refund, CEO Scott Kirby instructed staff in a memo on Wednesday.
“[A]ny customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund if they do not wish to fly – even if their flight isn’t impacted. That includes non-refundable tickets and those customers with basic economy tickets,” Kirby stated within the memo.
He added that the airline’s “long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA.”
AIRLINES WORK TO LIMIT IMPACT AS FAA CUTS AIR TRAFFIC BY 10% ACROSS 40 MARKETS AMID SHUTDOWN
United Airways CEO Scott Kirby, middle, joined by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, speaks to reporters outdoors the White Home on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Kirby, joined with Vance, Duffy and ot (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Photos)
“Instead, we will focus our schedule reductions on regional flying and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hubs,” Kirby stated, including that the airline will make the most of its app, web site and push notifications to remain in contact with prospects about flight modifications and to supply rebooking choices.
DUFFY ANNOUNCES AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS AMID RECORD GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
A United Airways at Chicago O’Hare Worldwide Airport. (Daniel Slim/AFP / Getty Photos)
“Even with these schedule reductions, United and its United Express partners will still offer about 4,000 flights per day to fly our customers to their destinations,” Kirby stated.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on the shutdown’s document thirty sixth day the discount was as a consequence of air site visitors management security issues.
Ticker Safety Final Change Change % UAL UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS INC. 96.65 +5.88
+6.48%
Duffy stated the cuts could possibly be reversed if Democrats agreed to reopen the federal government.
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The shutdown, the longest in U.S. historical past, has pressured 13,000 air site visitors controllers and 50,000 Transportation Safety Administration brokers to work with out pay.
Reuters contributed to this report.
