Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport is among 40 U.S. airports facing a 10 percent reduction in flights, as ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) starting Friday morning. This temporary measure, implemented as a safety precaution during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown—which reached its 37th day on Thursday—could result in more than 150 daily flight cancellations in Las Vegas alone.
Airport representatives stated they are waiting for further details from the FAA and the Department of Transportation, with more information expected soon. Other major western airports impacted by the reduction include Denver, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, and Salt Lake City.
Most U.S. airlines have indicated they will directly notify customers affected by cancellations or delays. Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier at Harry Reid International, announced that most passengers should not be impacted, but the airline is evaluating the situation and will communicate updates directly. If a Southwest flight is canceled, the airline will notify passengers via their provided contact information and the app, often rebooking automatically. Customers can opt for a refund or rebook if the new itinerary does not work. Passengers are reminded to cancel unwanted reservations at least 10 minutes before departure to comply with the no-show policy.
The timing of the flight reduction raises concerns for Las Vegas tourism and major upcoming events, such as the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix (Nov. 20-22), Thanksgiving travel, the Dec. 4-13 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show, which annually draws over 100,000 attendees. While international flights are expected to be less affected, extended reductions and the ongoing shutdown could dampen the city’s anticipated tourism recovery and major event attendance in late 2025 and into 2026.
