Will your MIA or FLL flight be delayed or canceled? Federal cutbacks starting

The Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports are among 40 across the country directed by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce air traffic by 10% starting Friday.

The emergency measure is due to federal employees, particularly air traffic controllers, working without pay and feeling the burden from the ongoing government shutdown.

Two other major Florida airports, including Tampa and Orlando, are also on the federal flight cutback list.

MIA said that it’s too soon to assess how the airport or travelers could be affected.

“At this time, it is too early to determine any specific impacts the FAA’s 10% reduction in domestic flights may have on Miami International Airport,” the airport said in the statement. “We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in regular communication with the FAA, our airline partners, and federal agencies to assess any potential operational effects.”

As of Thursday afternoon, “MIA’s operations remain normal,” said the statement, sent by Greg Chin, communications director for Miami-Dade Aviation Department.

On Wednesday, the FAA said it would call for U.S. airports in 40 “high-volume” markets to reduce air traffic by 10% starting Friday, the Associated Press reported. The move was made to “maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown,” according to the AP.

American Airlines, which accounts for the most flights at MIA, confirmed with the Miami Herald the move by the aviation authority.

“The FAA has directed airlines to reduce flight schedules to continue to maintain safe airspace operations beginning Friday, Nov. 7,” American Airlines said in a statement.

Flights on Nov. 6 “will operate as planned,” the airline noted.

American said it estimates most of its customers would not see changes in their travel plans.

“We expect the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected, and long-haul international travel will remain as scheduled,” said the statement.

The carrier said it would reach out to travelers, but recommended they check their flight status on American’s website or its mobile app. American Airlines said that customers whose flights are canceled for any reason or who choose not to travel will be able to change their flight or get a refund without penalty.

Fort-Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport also is among the airports the FAA required to reduce traffic, the AP reported. FLL directed requests for comments to the FAA.

Meanwhile, MIA said together with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and community groups, they are distributing food and essential goods to “our federal airport workforce.”

“The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a 10% reduction in flight capacity at the busiest airports in the U.S., including Miami International Airport,” Levine Cava confirmed in a statement. “This decision could have significant repercussions for our region’s economy, connectivity and workforce.”

Levine Cava said she would work with airport officials, airlines and local tourism officials to assess the full eventual impact, develop contingency plans and argue for a quick resolution.

“We must ensure the people of Miami-Dade — residents, workers, small businesses, and travelers — are not left paying the price.”

American Airlines added, “We continue to urge leaders in Washington, D.C., to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown. “We remain grateful to the air traffic controllers, TSA officers, CBP officers and other federal employees who are working right now without pay — all to get our customers where they need to be safely.”

List of airports across the country

According to the AP, here is the full list in alphabetical order, of airports affected in the cutbacks:

1. Anchorage International in Alaska

2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International in Georgia

3. Boston Logan International in Massachusetts

4. Baltimore/Washington International in Maryland

5. Charlotte Douglas International in North Carolina

6. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International in Ohio

7. Dallas Love Field in Texas

8. Ronald Reagan Washington National in Virginia

9. Denver International in Colorado

10. Dallas/Fort Worth International in Texas

11. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County in Michigan

12. Newark Liberty International in New Jersey

13. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International

14. Honolulu International in Hawaii

15. Houston Hobby in Texas

16. Washington Dulles International in Virginia

17. George Bush Houston Intercontinental in Texas

18. Indianapolis International in Indiana

19. John F. Kennedy International in New York

20. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas

21. Los Angeles International in California

22. LaGuardia Airport in New York

23. Orlando International in Florida

24. Chicago Midway International in Illinois

25. Memphis International in Tennessee

26. Miami International

27. Minneapolis/St Paul International in Minnesota

28. Oakland International in California

29. Ontario International in California

30. Chicago O`Hare International in Illinois

31. Portland International in Oregon

32. Philadelphia International in Pennsylvania

33. Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Arizona

34. San Diego International in California

35. Louisville International in Kentucky

36. Seattle/Tacoma International in Washington

37. San Francisco International in California

38. Salt Lake City International in Utah

39. Teterboro in New Jersey

40. Tampa International in Florida

This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 2:42 PM.