As the government shutdown stretches into its second month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it will reduce the number of flights in some of the nation’s busiest airspaces. The move comes amid growing concerns about staffing shortages and fatigue among air traffic controllers who have been working without pay.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that starting this Friday, air traffic volume will be reduced by 10% at around 40 airports nationwide. Duffy stated that this measure is intended to ease the increasing burden on vital segments of the aviation system. “Our goal is to pinpoint areas of stress and implement actions to alleviate them,” he explained during a press conference.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford explained that the reduction in flight capacity stems from the need to address fatigue among air traffic controllers, many of whom have continued to work tirelessly despite the financial and emotional toll of the ongoing shutdown. The list of affected airports is expected to be released shortly, and the measure will be implemented gradually — beginning with a 4% reduction in flights on Friday, 5% on Saturday, and reaching the full 10% by next week.
Increasing delays and rising worries
The declaration comes after a tumultuous time for American air travel, as thousands of travelers have already faced interruptions due to insufficient personnel. This past weekend, over 5,000 flights across the country were postponed, with significant centers like Chicago O’Hare, Newark Liberty, JFK, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport experiencing the most profound effects.
Data from FlightAware indicated that on Monday, almost 2,900 flights experienced delays, and 70 cancellations were recorded. By Tuesday, the number of cancellations had surged to 148, while delays still exceeded 2,000. As of Wednesday night, more than 2,100 flights were delayed and 164 canceled on both domestic and international itineraries. Although FlightAware does not detail the reasons for each delay, authorities confirmed that the staffing shortage resulting from the shutdown has been a significant contributor.
Transportation Secretary Duffy warned travelers to expect “significant disruptions” in air travel, especially as the holiday season approaches. Speaking in a television interview, he explained that the lack of pay for air traffic controllers has led to an unsustainable situation. “If we’re still in shutdown mode by Thanksgiving, it’s going to be very rough out there,” Duffy said. “We’ll do our best to maintain safety, but on-time departures and arrivals will be harder to guarantee.”
He also expressed concern that some controllers have been forced to take on side jobs to meet financial obligations, further exacerbating fatigue. “They’re doing what they need to survive,” he noted. “We want them focused and present, but we can’t ignore the reality that they’ve gone weeks without pay.”
Fatigue and safety under pressure
FAA Administrator Bedford stressed that the organization must not delay until conditions worsen before intervening. “We are already observing the impact of exhaustion within the system,” he stated. “Air traffic controllers have been working under immense pressure, and it’s starting to become evident.”
According to Bedford, the FAA is actively working to avert a decrease in safety levels. “We cannot overlook the indicators of stress,” he stated. “Decreasing the number of flights is a short-term yet essential action to guarantee that we safely manage the airspace.”
The shortage of air traffic controllers has been estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 positions, a number that continues to grow as the shutdown drags on. While essential personnel are required to report for duty even without pay, the prolonged financial uncertainty has placed unprecedented pressure on the workforce.
Officials indicated that additional measures could follow if the situation does not improve. “We’re monitoring this hour by hour,” Bedford said. “If the pressure persists, we will take further steps to maintain system stability.”
Airlines brace for turbulence
Airlines have started modifying their operations in preparation for the FAA’s planned capacity reductions. United Airlines’ chief executive, Scott Kirby, informed staff that regional and domestic flights not linked to primary hubs would experience the most significant impact. Nevertheless, he guaranteed that long-distance international services and flights between hubs would largely remain unchanged to safeguard scheduling reliability and crew management.
Kirby further mentioned that travelers who would rather avoid flying at this time are eligible to ask for a reimbursement, even if their specific flight has not been called off. Notwithstanding the cutbacks, United and its associated regional carriers anticipate conducting roughly 4,000 flights daily.
American Airlines issued a statement indicating that it expects minimal disruption to its customers’ travel plans, emphasizing that the majority of flights should continue as scheduled. Meanwhile, Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said it is working closely with the federal government to clarify the details of the reduction plan and minimize its impact on passengers and cargo shipments.
The Department of Transportation has been coordinating with airline representatives to ensure that the rollout of the new flight schedule is handled systematically. “We want this implemented in an organized manner,” Bedford said, noting that the FAA and airline executives met Wednesday night to finalize operational details.
Impact on passengers and the broader economy
The ripple effects of the FAA’s decision are expected to extend beyond passengers to include airline revenue, tourism, and cargo logistics. The aviation sector plays a critical role in maintaining the country’s economic momentum, and prolonged disruptions could have far-reaching consequences.
Travel analysts warn that if the government shutdown continues, the strain on the air travel system could worsen. Longer wait times, last-minute cancellations, and more frequent delays may become the norm, especially during peak travel periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also faces mounting challenges, with agents screening an estimated 2.7 million passengers last Sunday — one of the highest volumes since the start of the shutdown. Despite their dedication, many TSA employees are also working without pay, adding to the systemic pressure on U.S. aviation infrastructure.
A call for resolution
Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford emphasized that the decrease in flights is not intended as a punitive measure but rather as a protective step to ensure the system’s stability. They highlighted that the resumption of complete air traffic services is contingent upon the resolution of the shutdown and the restoration of standard funding.
When questioned about the immediate resumption of standard flight capacity following the shutdown’s conclusion, Bedford responded with prudence: “We must observe air traffic controller performance levels that align with those prior to the shutdown before we can fully scale operations back up.”
As of now, no timeline has been given for when regular operations might resume, but officials remain hopeful that a swift political resolution could prevent deeper disruptions.
In the meantime, passengers are encouraged to stay informed through airline communication channels and plan for possible changes in their travel schedules. While the FAA’s measures aim to preserve safety amid challenging circumstances, the episode highlights how dependent modern air travel has become on the people who manage its complex and demanding systems.
