California, airports
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Some of the largest and busiest airports in California are seeing travel numbers taking a nosedive this year. In a study published by online travel magazine Locals Insider, several California airports have experienced a decline in 2025 of hundreds of thousands of travelers.
People watch a plane land at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 6, 2025, the day before an FAA-mandated reduction in flights began at 40 major airports around the country, including LAX.
Officials say the move is in response to mounting pressure on air traffic controllers who've gone without pay as the shutdown continues.
Airlines have been issuing alerts to passengers to be aware of possible flight impacts; no end to government shutdown in sight.
But ABC reports that San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will be one of five California airports subjected to flight restrictions. SFO has experienced mounting flight delays over the last month, in part due to staffing shortages at the control tower caused by the federal government shutdown.
Jenny Jarvie is a national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times based in Atlanta.
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