United and American reduce flights to New York this summer amid lack of air traffic controllers

United Airlines and American Airlines said they would cut the number of flights on some routes from New York City and Washington, DC area airports this summer, following Warning from the Federal Aviation Administration about the staff levels of air traffic controllers.

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Last month, the FAA said it would allow airlines to voluntarily return up to 10% Locations in the New York area for the summer. It’s part of a concerted effort to reduce congestion in the sky area amid a shortage of air traffic controllers and high expected summer travel volumes.

United said it would reduced flights from its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The airline will mainly reduce frequency on some busy routes, in some cases will combine frequency by using larger, more seats.

The Chicago-based carrier said it would cut 30 daily departures from Newark, with 408 daily departures on the peak day currently listed for May. Among those cuts, United said it would cut flights from Newark to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) from 18 daily departures to 10. The airline said it would also reduce flights. flies between Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Newark from nine flights. up to six departures daily.

In a statement, a United spokesperson said that by combining several flight frequencies on larger planes, the airline’s total capacity at affected airports would actually increase by 5% over the summer. 2019. The spokesperson also said that no markets or routes have been completely cut.

“These small reductions will affect less than 2% of our customers at these airports, most of whom will still arrive at their destination within 2 hours of their expected arrival time,” the statement said. said by the airline.

Americans also dropped some frequencies from LGA and EWR, the airline said. Data from Cirium shows it has reduced flights from Newark to O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and from LaGuardia to Orlando International Airport (MCO), the airport Miami International (MIA), Minneapolis-St . Paul International Airport (MSP), Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Omaha’s Eppley Airport (OMA), and St. Louis Lambert (STL) during the summer. A spokesperson for American said they are working to assist affected passengers.

Related: FAA plans to reduce delays at New York airports this summer – here’s what it means for travelers

Delta Air Lines said it is reviewing its schedule for opportunities to reduce frequency or flights from New York but has not finalized a plan yet. The FAA sets an April 30 deadline for airlines looking to use the summer slot waiver.

“Delta commends the FAA for recognizing the common challenges that exist between the FAA, airports and airlines at New York and New Jersey airports,” an airline spokesperson said in a statement. , “and to implement a coordinated plan to improve operational reliability at these airports while minimizing flight disruption for customers during the peak summer travel season.”

The “slot” system regulates traffic and prevents anti-competitive entrenchment at some high-traffic airports; each location pair allows one landing and one departure from the airport.

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To prevent airlines from hoarding slots they don’t intend to use to compete, the FAA enforces a “use it or lose it” rule. Airlines must use each seat at least 80% of the time. Otherwise, the FAA may revoke the position and hand it over to another airline.

Quote from an ongoing event lack of air traffic controller at the New York-area air traffic control center won’t be relieved until at least the fall, the FAA said last month that airlines may choose to temporarily return up to 10% of their seats for a period of time. from May 15 to September 15.

Additional reporting by Zach Griff.