Some of the major airlines in the US are reducing their summer and spring schedules in response to the congestion and delays that they experienced in the Washington, D.C., and New York areas last year when the most live dealer casino games are established.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on March 22 granted airlines more flexibility in their operations at New York’s LaGuardia and Kennedy airports and in Washington’s Reagan National Airport due to the shortage of air traffic controllers.
According to data from aviation data provider Cirium, American Airlines has removed about 4,790 flights from the three airports’ schedules from May 1 to September 30. The reduction in flights was compared to the number of flights that the company filed on February 3, 2023.
Among the other major airlines, United Airlines has the most flights cut, with 4,353. Delta Air Lines followed with 1,983, and JetBlue has 3,565. As of April 3, Southwest had not made any changes to its schedule.
In response to the FAA’s decision to grant airlines more flexibility in their operations at New York’s airports, American Airlines said it would reduce its frequencies on certain routes from Newark Liberty and LaGuardia this summer. The company noted that it would be offering its customers alternative travel options.
On March 22, the three major airlines—American, Delta, and United—sent letters to the FAA, asking for the agency to grant them more flexibility in their operations during the summer. They asked for a limited, conditional waiver that would allow them to add up to 10% of their capacity at the three airports.
The airlines also asked the FAA to allow them to voluntarily return to operating times at Newark during the peak summer season, which begins May 15 and ends September 15. The agency gave the airlines until April 30 to provide their plans for the slots that they’re seeking waivers.
The goal of the waiver was to allow the airlines to maintain a safe and smooth air travel experience for their customers in New York City. While the agency had urged the carriers to reduce their operations to minimize the impact of canceled flights, it also noted that the waiver would allow them to reduce their schedules during the peak travel season.
Based on data from the Cirium platform, American Airlines had the most number of cancellations from LaGuardia and Newark during the May-September period. The company also decreased its schedule by removing hundreds of flights from these airports to Dallas, Chicago O’Hare, and Charlotte. Some of the other routes that the company has changed include connecting LaGuardia to Reagan National and Columbus, Ohio.
Following the FAA’s announcement, JetBlue said it was reviewing its options regarding the reduction of its flight schedule at New York’s LaGuardia and Kennedy airports. The company also noted that it would provide more details about the changes once it has finalized its plans.
While it’s disappointing that the airlines have to reduce their operations in New York City due to the staffing shortages at the airports, the company is pleased that the agency is taking the necessary steps to address the issue.
Based on the data collected by the aviation data platform Cirium, JetBlue has reduced its schedule on several routes. For instance, it has removed hundreds of flights from its schedule to Boston, Buffalo, New York, and Los Angeles.
In response to the situation, Delta Air Lines said it was evaluating its network to ensure that its customers have the best possible experience during summer. The company also said it was working with the FAA to improve the efficiency and safety of operations at the airports. Neither United nor Delta provided a statement regarding the exact number of flights that they had cut.
