The Department of Transportation has announced a “10% reduction in capacity at 40 major airports” beginning Friday, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The measure will affect approximately 3,500 to 4,000 flights daily, citing the need to ease pressure on air traffic controllers.
Duffy stated the decision is “data-based” and aimed at ensuring safety, emphasizing, “My number one priority is the safety of the American people.” Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford noted additional steps might follow as data reveals growing strain on the system. He warned that without intervention, the FAA’s reputation for maintaining the world’s safest airline network could be jeopardized.
The government shutdown, now in its 36th day and the longest in U.S. history, has exacerbated staffing shortages. Duffy acknowledged more cancellations are expected, with no specified end date for the reduction. Air traffic controllers, working without pay, face a “tipping point,” according to reports. One controller described colleagues calling in sick to earn income elsewhere, while others cited frustration over unpaid work during holidays.
Morale among controllers has deteriorated amid longstanding staffing shortages, mandatory overtime, and stagnant wages. The FAA’s current measures have already caused delays, raising fears of broader disruptions if the shutdown persists. Duffy warned that without resolution, “mass chaos, flight delays, cancellations, and potential airspace closures” could occur.
The Department of Transportation insists the air travel system remains safe but stressed that restrictions may expand if controllers miss additional paychecks.