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Passengers wait for their bags in the Hawaiian Airlines baggage claim area at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, in June 2021, in Honolulu. Some Hawaii travelers will face disruptions starting Friday as the Federal Aviation Administration implements a reduction in air traffic across 40 major U.S. airports in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Some Hawaii travelers will face disruptions starting Friday as the Federal Aviation Administration implements a reduction in air traffic across 40 major U.S. airports in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is expected to release an official list of affected airports today. The Associated Press and ABC News reported that Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is on the list of 40 airports that will see cuts.
The New York Times, citing a person familiar with the discussion who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, reported today that the FAA told airline industry officials Wednesday that the cuts would begin with a 4% reduction in affected markets on Friday and ramp up through the weekend, reaching the 10% decrease by next week.
Nationwide more than 500 flights scheduled for today were cancelled, with more than 600 cancellations planned for Friday, according to FlightAware.com, which tracks flight delays and cancellations. FlightAware reported 24 delays at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are expected today and no cancellations. FlightAware data so far is showing that two delays are expected on Friday and six cancellations, including four Hawaiian Airlines neighbor island flights and two from Southwest.
FlightAware did not provide more details on the Southwest cancellations, but reported that the cancelled flights Hawaiian Airlines flights, include:
>> Flight 1078, which was slated to fly from Honolulu to Kona at 11:19 a.m.
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>> Flight 1067, which was slated to fly from Kona to Honolulu at 12:38 p.m.
>> Flight 1066, which was slated to fly from Honolulu to Kahului at 1:52 p.m.
>> Flight 1155, which was slated to fly from Kahului to Honolulu at 3:32 p.m.
The full weight of the travel disruptions has not hit yet. But Hawaii’s visitor industry officials warn that even airports not directly impacted could experience delays due to the interconnected nature of the national air travel system. A change in flight operations in cities like Boston could ripple across the country, potentially altering itineraries in Honolulu.
Alex Da Silva, Hawaiian Air spokesperson, said “We know how much our residents and visitors rely on our Neighbor Island service, and we will continue to operate a robust schedule with 20 Honolulu -Maui roundtrips and 15 Honolulu-Kona roundtrips, in addition to our regularly scheduled flights to and from Lihue and Hilo. We are notifying impacted guests with the option to be accommodated on the next available flights or receive a full refund. ” He added that Hawaiian and Alaska airlines flights between Hawaii and the continental U.S., as well as international routes, have not been affected.
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) is urging travelers to stay informed and take proactive steps to minimize disruptions, and is offering the following travel tips:
>> Update Contact Info: Ensure your airline has your correct mobile number, especially if you booked through a third-party site.
>> Monitor Flight Status: Use airline apps and enable alerts to stay informed about delays or cancellations.
>> Arrive Early: Whether flying interisland, domestic, or international, allow extra time for potential delays.
>> Plan for Contingencies: If your flight is delayed or canceled, contact your hotel or accommodations to adjust check-out times or extend your stay.
>> Visitors currently in Hawaii or planning a trip can find the latest updates at GoHawaii.com, and additional information will be posted on hawaiitourismauthority.org.