The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is likely to be affected by a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plan to cut back flights at major U.S. airports if the ongoing government shutdown isn’t resolved soon. Officials say that unless Congress reaches a deal, the flight reductions will begin on Friday, November 7, across 40 of the country’s busiest airports. The FAA plans to gradually reduce the number of flights, starting with a 4% cut on Friday and increasing to about 10% next week. Though the FAA hasn’t released the official list of affected airports, several reports suggest that MSP is included.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport typically handles around 750 flights every day. A 10% reduction would mean about 75 fewer flights each day, potentially leading to more delays and cancellations across the country. The impact won’t just be limited to local flights—reductions at other major airports could cause ripple effects that spread through the entire air travel network, disrupting connections and travel schedules nationwide.
At this point, it’s not clear exactly how airlines and airports will handle the situation. Passengers are being advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, especially if their travel plans fall within the affected dates. If a flight is canceled, airlines are required to offer passengers a refund, even for non-refundable tickets, or rebook them on another flight at no additional cost. However, travelers should know that they aren’t legally entitled to compensation for meals, hotels, or other expenses if they get stranded—even when the disruption is due to airline operations.
Delta Air Lines, one of MSP’s largest carriers, has said it expects to operate most of its scheduled flights despite the FAA reductions, including all long-haul international services. The airline also promised to minimize disruptions for customers and provide extra flexibility to cancel or change flights during the reduction period. Still, the uncertainty around how severe the flight cuts could become has many travelers preparing for potential disruptions.
The flight reduction plan is tied directly to the ongoing government shutdown, which has left many federal employees—including air traffic controllers—working without pay. The unpaid status of controllers has led to staffing shortages and operational challenges in air traffic management, creating delays for travelers in recent weeks. To manage safety and staffing levels, the FAA has decided to reduce the total number of flights operating in and out of major airports until the shutdown ends or a deal is reached.
Airlines and airports across the country are now waiting for more details from the FAA, which is expected to share additional information about the reduction plan soon. Travelers are urged to stay updated through official airline channels and prepare for possible changes in their flight schedules. While the situation could improve quickly if the government reaches a funding agreement, prolonged negotiations could make air travel more unpredictable in the coming days.
