US Flight Cuts to Hit African Airlines Amid Record Government Shutdown

African airlines operating direct routes to the United States are bracing for possible disruptions after Washington said it will reduce air traffic by 10 percent at major airports as the government shutdown stretches into its longest period on record.

The US Department of Transportation announced the move to ease pressure on overworked air traffic controllers and security staff, many of whom have been working without pay.

The partial shutdown, which began on Oct 1, has left thousands of federal workers idle and caused widespread flight delays across the country.

Kenya Airways, which operates regular nonstop flights between Nairobi and New York’s John F Kennedy Airport, and Ethiopian Airlines, which serves several US cities, could face reduced capacity and scheduling disruptions if the cuts affect long-haul operations.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, flies to New York, Newark, Washington, Chicago, and Atlanta, making it one of the few African airlines with multiple weekly connections to the US.

The airline relies heavily on transit passengers from across Africa using its Addis Ababa hub, and any disruptions to American airspace or airport operations could affect its network.

While US officials have said the reductions will primarily target domestic routes, airlines warn that long-haul flights could still experience delays due to congestion at major gateways and longer security processing times.

Aviation analysts said extended cuts could lead to missed connections and higher operating costs for carriers linking Africa to the US market.

Kenya Airways launched its direct New York route in 2018 as part of a strategy to tap into North America’s growing demand for African travel.

The service has become a key source of foreign revenue for the national carrier, which has been recovering from financial losses and restructuring under government support.

Industry observers said even minor schedule adjustments could have ripple effects on Africa–US connectivity, especially for business and cargo traffic that depend on consistent long-haul operations.

With the shutdown now the longest in US history, global carriers are closely watching Washington’s next move as pressure mounts to restore full government funding.

gandae@businessdayafrica.org