The 10% slowdown of airline traffic at 40 of the country’s top markets ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration will not be directly imposed on the Norfolk International Airport or Newport News Williamsburg Airport, but the effects will be felt there nevertheless.

Air traffic controllers, employed by the FAA, have been working without pay since the government shutdown began Oct. 1. The FAA designated 40 “high impact airports” to which airlines are expected to cut 4% of their flights by 6 a.m. Friday, 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13, and 10% by Nov. 14, according to Flightradar24, which tracks air traffic in real time.

The nearest airports included in the 40 are Washington Dulles International Airport, Reagan Washington International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International. The airlines most impacted are American, Southwest, Delta and United, according to Flightradar24.

Flights into Norfolk were continuing normally on Thursday, according to an ORF spokesperson. A Pilot survey comparing arrivals to ORF Thursday morning and Friday afternoon from the major airports of Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Denver, Orlando, Miami, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago and Charlotte showed reductions only in arrivals from Dallas (-2), New York (-1) and Charlotte (-1), while there were some increases in arrivals from other markets.

“Looking ahead, the best advice I can share for flyers or those picking up is to stay abreast of the specific status of their flights using their airline’s app or website,” said the Norfolk airport spokesperson. “There’s always lots of talk about total cancellation tallies or average delays but none of that matters to someone if their flight isn’t among those impacted.”

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/11/07/flight-restrictions-shutdown-hampton-roads/