The US Transportation Secretary has warned that flights will be reduced at 40 major airports starting Friday if the government shutdown continues, due to air traffic controller staffing shortages and fatigue. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will implement a 10% reduction in air traffic capacity at 40 high-volume airports across the United States. This unprecedented measure is a direct response to the ongoing government shutdown, which has left air traffic controllers working without pay for over a month. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized that the decision is necessary to maintain safety as controllers report increasing fatigue and some are forced to take second jobs to make ends meet.
The flight reductions will be phased in gradually, beginning with a 4% cut on Friday, increasing to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and reaching the full 10% by next week. The specific airports affected, all major hubs with high traffic, will be disclosed on Thursday. This step-down approach aims to minimize disruption while addressing the critical staffing issues that have led to delays and cancellations nationwide. The proactive strategy reflects the unusual nature of the shutdown, now the longest in US history, and its cascading effects on essential services.
The impact could be significant, with estimates suggesting between 3,500 and 4,000 flights per day may be canceled once the full reduction is in place. Airlines are collaborating with the FAA to adjust schedules, but the move has raised concerns about travel chaos, particularly during peak periods. Controllers, deemed essential employees, have been working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1, 2025, leading to over 400 staffing shortages reported at FAA facilities—a fourfold increase from the same time last year.
In response, major airlines have issued varied statements. American Airlines expects the “vast majority” of customers to be unaffected, while Southwest Airlines is evaluating the impact and urging Congress to resolve the impasse. United Airlines plans to focus cuts on regional and non-hub domestic flights to preserve network integrity, offering refunds even for nonrefundable tickets. Frontier Airlines warned passengers to have backup plans, highlighting the risk of being stranded, and advised against booking basic fares.
The situation underscores the broader effects of the shutdown, with over 1.4 million federal workers either furloughed or working unpaid. Air traffic controllers are experiencing severe financial strain, with union leaders reporting instances where controllers cannot afford gas to commute to work. This has exacerbated staffing pressures, as some controllers take second jobs or call in sick, further straining the system and leading to increased delays and cancellations.
Despite the cuts, officials assure that the air travel system remains safe, with the reductions intended to prevent further deterioration. Bedford described the approach as “prescriptive” and “surgical,” focusing on high-traffic markets to maintain efficiency. If the shutdown continues, additional restrictive measures may be required, potentially affecting space launches and small aircraft traffic, underscoring the wide-ranging implications of the political deadlock.
The announcement has intensified calls for a resolution in Congress, with airlines and transportation leaders emphasizing the economic and operational toll. As travelers face uncertainty, the focus remains on ending the shutdown to restore full capacity and stability to the National Airspace System, highlighting the urgent need for bipartisan action to avert further disruptions.