FAA Slashes Flights at 40 Major Airports as Government Shutdown Hurts Workers and Public

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 high-volume markets beginning Friday morning, a move forced by the ongoing government shutdown that continues to punish working people and the public.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy admitted the reduction is necessary due to severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, who have been shamefully compelled to work without pay since the shutdown began on October 1. Many controllers, pushed to the brink by this injustice, have understandably called out of work, resulting in delays nationwide.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford highlighted the urgent need for proactive measures, as the shutdown’s pressure on staffing grows more dire each day. He said the agency would meet with airline executives to figure out how to implement the flight reductions as safely as possible, underscoring the chaos created by political gridlock.

The FAA has not disclosed which airports will be affected, but the cuts are expected to hit major hubs, including those serving New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas—disrupting travel for millions.

Now in its 36th day, the government shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents to work without pay, deepening staff shortages and causing widespread flight delays and long lines at security screenings. This is a direct consequence of political leaders prioritizing partisan games over the well-being of workers and the public.

Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, the FAA may be forced to take even more drastic steps, including closing parts of U.S. airspace, which could unleash 'mass chaos' in the aviation system. This crisis is a stark reminder of the human cost of government dysfunction and the urgent need to protect workers’ rights and public safety.