The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to reduce air traffic by 10% at 40 major airports starting Friday (November 7) if the government shutdown persists. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the measure on Wednesday, citing staffing shortages among unpaid air traffic controllers as the reason for the reduction.
The ongoing shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, has left many FAA employees working without pay. The situation has already caused delays, with 46% of flights affected last Sunday. Secretary Duffy warned that the situation could worsen if controllers miss another paycheck on November 11.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized that the reduction is a proactive measure to ensure safety in the airspace. The FAA will meet with airlines to discuss the implementation of these cuts, which will be "prescriptive" and "surgical." The reduction will also extend beyond commercial airspace, affecting space launches and small aircraft traffic in certain areas.
The U.S. Travel Association has urged Congress to pass a resolution to reopen the government, highlighting that the travel economy has already lost over $4 billion due to the shutdown. The FAA's decision comes as more than 400 staffing shortages have been reported at FAA facilities, a significant increase from the previous year.
As the situation develops, the FAA continues to work with airlines to manage the impact on travelers.