FAA Emergency Order Forces Flight Reductions at 40 Airports, Including Orlando International Airport

FAA Flight Reductions at Orlando International Could Disrupt Holiday Trips to Disney and Universal

If you’re flying into Orlando for some holiday magic at Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort, your plans may need a little extra pixie dust. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an Emergency Order that requires airlines to reduce daytime flights at major U.S. airports—including Orlando International Airport (MCO)—by up to 10% beginning November 7, 2025.

Related: Location & Dates Announced for Santa Claus at Hollywood Studios

While we have already reported on the impending cuts, this most recent announcement comes on the heels of an official FAA declaration detailing exactly how airlines are to reduce air travel. The FAA says the cuts are necessary to “ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficiency of the National Airspace System,” citing air traffic controller staffing shortages caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown. The order affects all domestic commercial flights scheduled between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time, a move that’s expected to have a significant ripple effect on Central Florida’s tourism industry as the busy holiday season begins.

A phased rollout of flight cuts

Airlines will be scaling back operations in stages leading up to the full 10% reduction:

• November 7: 4% reduction in daytime flights
• November 11: 6% reduction
• November 13: 8% reduction
• November 14 and onward: full 10% reduction

The FAA has directed carriers to spread the cancellations evenly throughout the day to prevent bottlenecks during peak travel hours. The cuts are to be scheduled on a rolling schedule seven days in advance, meaning flight cancellations through November 14 must be announced by November 7, cancellations for November 15 on November 8, etc.

How this impacts your Orlando theme park trip

For theme park visitors, the timing couldn’t be trickier. The flight cuts coincide with the start of Disney Jollywood Nights, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and Universal Orlando’s holiday celebrations—all events that draw massive crowds in mid-November.

That means:

• Fewer available flights for those early arrivals aiming to rope-drop Magic Kingdom or hit Hogsmeade before lunch.
• Higher airfares as seat capacity tightens heading into Thanksgiving week.
• Potential last-minute cancellations or rebookings as airlines adjust schedules to stay in compliance.
• Ripple effects on resort plans if arrival times shift later into the day.

Even a small reduction at a hub like MCO can have big consequences for travelers coming from connecting airports. With roughly 1,200 daily flights, a 10% reduction means more than 100 flights could be impacted each day.

Tips for staying ahead of the turbulence

• Check your flight status frequently—airlines are updating schedules daily through mid-November.
• Book or switch to earlier flights if possible; morning departures are less prone to cascading delays.
• Plan a flexible arrival day with room for travel hiccups before your first park reservation.
• Keep your airline app handy for rebooking notifications or automatic itinerary updates.
• Know your rights—if your flight is canceled and you opt not to travel, you’re entitled to a cash refund.

Related: Holiday Merch Begins to Arrive at Universal Orlando Resort

A storm over the holiday skyline

While the FAA describes the order as temporary, it hasn’t given an end date. If staffing levels don’t rebound quickly, the order could linger into the holiday peak, affecting both Thanksgiving and early Christmas travel. Once the government shutdown ends, it will take time to ramp back up to full controller staffing, meaning the cancellations will not immediately end just because the shutdown does.

For now, those heading to the Most Magical Place on Earth or the Most Thrilling Place on Earth should add a little patience to their packing list. After all, even Santa’s sleigh might be circling the runway for a bit this year.