(The Center Square) — Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands more delayed at Florida’s four major airports since the federal government began making cutbacks on Friday.
As of Monday morning, 816 flights had been canceled and more than 4,399 were delayed at airports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa, according to the live tracking site Flight Aware.
The airports are among 40 nationwide affected by an ongoing government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration announced last week it would begin reducing operations at high-traffic airports to maintain safety standards while federal workers, including airport employees, remain unpaid during the shutdown.
The affected airports could see operations reduce by 10% if the shutdown continues. Lawmakers on Sunday began advancing a deal to reopen the government before the busy Thanksgiving travel season begins.
Orlando International Airport has seen the most delays and cancellations of the four major Florida airports — 263 cancellations and 1,707 delays since Friday.
Cancellations over the last 24 hours show an 8% drop in activity at the airport compared to this same week in 2023, according to Flight Aware.
The Orlando airport said Friday it expects to see fewer arrivals and departures but added that federal airport employees have continued to work through the shutdown.
Miami International Airport shows a 9% increase in flight activity compared to this week in 2023, despite 215 cancellations and 1,199 delays since Friday, according to Flight Aware.
Fort Lauderdale International Airport is experiencing a 1% drop in flight activity, with 183 cancellations and 856 delays since Friday.
Tampa International Airport is showing a 5% drop, with 155 cancellations and 637 delays. The airport is the 27th largest in the U.S. and said Monday that a majority of flights remain on time and that travelers should contact their airline for updates.
The FAA has required airlines to issue full refunds for cancellations,, although they are not required to cover secondary costs.
The FAA’s phased approach to reducing operations began at 4% on Friday. On Tuesday, reductions will hit 6%, with the goal of a 10% reduction by this Friday.
Airline carriers are responsible for deciding which flights are cancelled in order to comply with the cutbacks.
U.S. senators who stayed in session over the weekend voted 60-40 late Sunday to advance a bill that would reopen the government. The measure still needs approval from the full Senate and House and President Trump.
