What does the FAA's reduction in flights mean for Dominican Republic-U.S. travelers?
Although the measure does not require a reduction in international flights, airlines will be able to "adjust their schedules, both domestic and connecting, to meet the overall goal of a 10% reduction," the FAA published.
SANTO DOMINGO. – Yesterday, Friday, September 7, temporary flight reductions ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began, due to the closure of the U.S. federal government and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Thousands of passengers traveling between the United States and the Dominican Republic could be affected by an initial 4% reduction in flight capacity, a measure that could be extended to 10% in the coming days if the government shutdown continues. Remember that travelers have legally guaranteed rights to obtain refunds or changes at no additional cost.
The DOT states that every passenger is entitled to a full refund if their flight is canceled or significantly modified and they choose not to travel, even if their ticket was non-refundable.
“When an airline cancels or makes a significant change to a flight and the passenger decides not to travel, the airline must refund the ticket price and any additional services paid, even if the fare was non-refundable,” states the federal consumer protection regulation (14 CFR §259.5). (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2025).
This includes flights canceled or modified as a direct result of the FAA's 10% air traffic reduction order announced on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The measure affects 40 high-volume airports, including Miami (MIA), New York (JFK and Newark), Orlando (MCO), Boston (BOS), and Atlanta (ATL), all with high traffic to and from the Dominican Republic.
Context
The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) decision to impose a reduction of up to 10% of scheduled flights at 40 high-volume airports in the United States is a measure adopted "to preserve the operational safety of the air system during the prolonged shutdown of the federal government," the agency explained in an official statement published on November 6, 2025.
Although the FAA specified that the measure “does not require a reduction in international flights,” airlines will be able to “adjust their schedules, both domestic and connecting, to meet the overall goal of a 10% reduction, and the Dominican Republic could be affected by indirect effects on international routes between the United States and the Caribbean.
Impact on the Dominican Republic
The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports that more than 85% of flights between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic depart from airports now subject to reduction, which may result in delays, schedule adjustments, or connection cancellations at the most congested U.S. airports.
The airports of Miami (MIA), New York (JFK and Newark EWR), Orlando (MCO), Boston (BOS) and Atlanta (ATL), from where most flights to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Santiago depart, are among the 40 “high volume” terminals subject to reduction, according to the list published by the FAA.
If your flight is cancelled or changed, you are entitled to a full refund or change at no extra cost, and airlines are required to inform passengers and offer viable alternatives.
Although operations to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, and Santiago continue, travelers between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic may face connection delays or itinerary adjustments because, even though their international flights remain scheduled, airlines have already warned of possible schedule adjustments or reduced frequencies until the FAA lifts the restriction.
Airlines
According to data from the FAA and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the airlines with the most flights between the two countries are JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, which together account for more than 85% of air traffic between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, with over 220 weekly flights .
JetBlue Airways, based in New York (JFK), warned its customers in an internal memo that “adjustments to the U.S. domestic network could cause schedule changes for connecting international flights, including those to the Caribbean.”
If you're traveling to or from the U.S., confirm your flight and monitor for updates; consider arriving early or choosing direct routes and keep copies of confirmations and notifications to exercise your right to a refund, if applicable.
While American Airlines confirmed that its 2025 winter routes to Santo Domingo (SDQ), Punta Cana (PUJ) and Puerto Plata (POP) remain active, although "subject to operational modifications depending on the conditions of the national air system."
Delta Air Lines announced it will reduce flights “starting November 7 in compliance with the FAA directive,” and assured customers it will provide “additional flexibility to change, cancel, or refund their flight without penalty.”
United Airlines, in a message signed by CEO Scott Kirby, indicated that the reductions will focus “on regional and domestic flights” and guaranteed that “all customers traveling during this period are eligible for a refund if they choose not to fly.”
Practical tips for travelers
– Check your flight directly with the airline. Don't rely on third-party apps.
– Keep all evidence of cancellations or changes to support your claim.
– Don't accept vouchers if you prefer a cash refund. The law protects you.
– Consider direct routes or alternative airports with less traffic, such as Charlotte (CLT) or Philadelphia (PHL).
Refunds and changes without penalty.
Thousands of passengers travel between the United States and the Dominican Republic every day and could be affected by these temporary flight cuts ordered by the FAA, justified by the shutdown of the US federal government.
Under DOT consumer protection regulations, passengers whose flights are canceled “due to the application of this reduction order” are entitled to a full refund. The DOT also recommends that airlines offer travel waivers when flights are affected by federal directives or government closures, as is the case here.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement that “passengers should be able to change their flight plans without additional charges when disruptions are due to federal decisions beyond their control.”
Among the airlines already implementing these policies are American Airlines, which allows itinerary changes without paying a fare difference on flights affected by the airfare reduction, and JetBlue Airways, which offers similar flexibility on international routes connecting through U.S. airports subject to the cuts.
If your flight is canceled or delayed
In general, with or without the reduction of flights due to the federal order, the DOT reminds us that there are certain safeguards outlined in Notice of Compliance 2022-04 regarding air travel consumer rights, which states:
– Full refund if your flight is canceled or significantly modified. – Free alternative transportation or rebooking if you wish to continue your trip. – Partial refund if you miss a connection due to a delay attributable to the airline or the federal air traffic control system. According to Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the flight reduction “is intended to ensure that air operations remain safe in light of the temporary reduction of critical personnel at air traffic control centers,” referring to the more than 3,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees affected by the funding suspension.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford added that the priority is "maintaining operational safety without neglecting the protection of passengers affected by the temporary measures.".
In summary, if your flight is canceled or modified due to the FAA order, you are entitled to a full refund or a change at no additional cost; airlines are required to inform passengers and offer viable alternatives, and the DOT monitors compliance with these rules and encourages travelers to file complaints if their rights are not respected.
Sources consulted:
– American Airlines. (2025, November 7). Travel alerts and operational adjustments. American Airlines. https://www.aa.com/travelAlerts
– Bureau of Transportation Statistics. (2025). US-Dominican Republic flight operations data. US D-partment of Transportation. https://transtats.bts.gov/
– Federal Aviation Administration. (2025, November 6). US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford outline series of operational measures. https://www.faa.gov/newsroom
– JetBlue Airways. (2025, November 7). Travel alerts. JetBlue Airways. https://www.jetblue.com/travel-alerts
– US Department of Transportation. (2022, April 8). Enforcement notice on airline refund obligations. https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/notice-april2022
– US Department of Transportation. (2025, November 6). Air consumer refund policy (14 CFR §259.5). https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/refunds
– US Department of Transportation. (2025, November 6). Briefing on FAA operational reduction order. https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room-Delta Air Lines. (2025, November 6). Delta cares for customers, reduces flights beginning Nov. 7 in compliance with FAA directive. DeltaNewsHub. https://news.delta.com/delta-cares-customers-reduces-flights-beginning-nov-7-compliance-faa-directive
– United Airlines. (2025, November 6). United Airlines issues message about which flights and routes could be cut as FAA reduces capacity [Statements by Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines]. NBCChicago. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/united-airlines-issues-message-about-which-flights-routes-could-be-cut-as-faa-reduces-capacity/3848314
