Major Flight Reductions Loom as US Government Shutdown Continues

Thu Nov 06 2025 06:17:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns of a 10% reduction in air travel capacity at 40 major US airports as air traffic controllers face severe staffing issues due to ongoing government shutdown.

The longest government shutdown in US history is forcing Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to announce a potential 10% cut in flights at 40 airports, starting Friday. Fatigue among air traffic controllers, many of whom are working without pay, has led to concerns over the safety of air travel. This situation could lead to the cancellation of thousands of flights daily, affecting both passengers and airlines. Despite the troubling circumstances, Duffy insists that safety remains a priority for air travel in the United States.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that if the government shutdown continues, air travel capacity at 40 major airports in the United States will be reduced by 10%. The cuts are set to start on Friday morning.

The decision comes as air traffic controllers have reported increasing levels of fatigue, exacerbated by the fact that many have been working without pay for nearly a month. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Bryan Bedford described the situation as unusual during a briefing alongside Duffy on Wednesday.

The flight reductions will not be immediate; they will begin with a 4% reduction in domestic flights on Friday, increasing to 5% on Saturday and 6% on Sunday, before reaching the full 10% cap next week, according to unnamed sources.

With these changes, it is estimated that between 3,500 and 4,000 flights could be canceled daily. Bedford expressed concern about the pressure building on the air traffic control system, urging that efficiency and safety must be maintained.

Duffy stated that passenger safety remains a top priority, and that the measures are being taken to ensure that safety in air travel is not compromised as the shutdown continues.

The names of the affected high-traffic airports will be disclosed on Thursday. Major airlines, including Southwest, are monitoring the situation and will inform customers of potential impacts on their services.

As the government shutdown, which began on October 1, stretches into history, airports are facing mounting pressures. Some have already experienced grounding of flights due to sick calls from controllers, while others are doing their best to manage staffing shortages.

Union leaders representing aviation workers have highlighted the economic strain on controllers, who are feeling the financial pinch without paychecks, leading to concerns about predictability and operational stability within the air travel system.