Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is one of 40 “high-volume” markets facing a 10 percent reduction in air traffic volume on Friday as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s efforts to maintain travel safety, as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown.

The affected airports covering more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the U.S. — including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco. In some of the biggest cities — such as New York, Houston and Chicago — multiple airports will be affected.

Officials haven’t provided details on which flights could be cut at Reid Airport, which has seen eight consecutive monthly passenger declines through September, resulting in passenger counts down 4.7 percent from a year ago. Reid was considered the seventh busiest airport in the U.S. in 2024, with a record 58.4 million passengers. Las Vegas visitor volume is down 8 percent this year.

In an unsigned statement Wednesday afternoon, the Clark County Department of Aviation said it was aware of the pending announcement and was awaiting additional information from the agency.

Southwest Airlines, Reid’s largest air carrier, accounting for one-third of the airport’s monthly passenger volume, displayed a statement on its website Thursday saying the “vast majority of our customers will not be impacted by these changes, and for those who are affected, we will proactively communicate well in advance and will offer flexibility in travel plans.”

United Airlines, Reid’s fourth-largest air carrier, said Thursday it plans to cut 4 percent of its flights across the board Friday through Sunday, but didn’t provide details if any Las Vegas flights were included. United operates some 4,500 flights a day nationally. The cuts are expected to result in fewer than 200 daily cancellations, the carrier confirmed.

The flight reductions come as Las Vegas has been preparing for an influx of airline passengers for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, Nov. 20-22, followed by the usually busy four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The cutbacks stand to affect thousands of flights nationwide because the FAA directs more than 44,000 flights daily, including commercial passenger flights, cargo planes and private aircraft. 

“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said at a news conference.

Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1, and most have been on duty six days a week while putting in mandatory overtime. With some calling out of work because of frustration, taking second jobs or not having money for child care or gas, staffing shortages during some shifts have led to flight delays at a number of U.S. airports.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the reduction was a “proactive” measure due to the delays and cancellations already occurring due to the shutdown. 

Shutdown, flight cancellations criticized

Travel leaders and Nevada’s congressional delegation criticized both the Trump administration and Congress for the shutdown, now in its 35th day.  

U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman said that while the FAA's decision was “necessary to keep our skies safe,” it would inevitably affect the travel experience and lead to fewer flights, longer delays and more disruptions for travelers.

“The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system, forcing difficult operational decisions that disrupt travel and damage confidence in the U.S. air travel experience,” Freeman said. “The fault for this situation rests squarely at the feet of Congress.”

Members of Nevada’s congressional delegation expressed concerns that anything reducing flights to and from Las Vegas will only exacerbate the declines in tourism.

“We’ve already seen this Administration's reckless tariff policies cause tourism to plummet here in Nevada,” said Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV). “Las Vegas businesses and workers will pay the price for this decision to reduce flights to Harry Reid International Airport.” 

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) said the curtailing air traffic at Reid Airport would “further hurt our tourism industry.” Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) added that Las Vegas was “already struggling with lower tourism from [President Donald] Trump’s trade war; higher prices from his tariffs; and economic uncertainty from erratic policies.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) said she has “voted and will continue to vote to end the shutdown because we shouldn’t be harming one group of Americans to fight for another.”

Updated at 12:48 p.m. on 11/6/2025 with additional information and comments.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This is a developing story and will be updated.