The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will cut airline traffic by about 10% in 40 high-volume U.S. markets, citing staffing shortfalls that officials say are the result of the ongoing government shutdown. The agency framed the move as a precaution intended to preserve safety and system integrity while controller staffing remains thin.
The decision follows a UPS cargo flight crash in Louisville that killed 11 people; agency officials said the crash has increased public concern about aviation safety, though they have not linked the accident directly to the staffing shortages.
Staffing shortages tied to shutdown
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy told reporters that many air traffic controllers have been working without pay since the shutdown began and that a significant number have called out of work. Duffy said the system could be short as many as 3,000 controllers. FAA data cited by officials indicated that staffing shortfalls already contributed to operational disruptions: on Sunday alone, the shortage was associated with more than 5,000 flight delays.
Precautionary approach from FAA
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency will act proactively rather than wait for safety issues to arise, emphasizing that the staffing problems created by the shutdown cannot be ignored. Agency leadership presented the flight reduction as a temporary, safety-focused measure to reduce the strain on controllers and air traffic operations.
Implementation and impact
FAA officials said they will meet with airline representatives later today to work out implementation details. They have not yet released the names of the 40 markets or specific airports that will face the 10% reductions; the FAA said a list would be released on Thursday.
According to FAA figures, roughly 3 million passengers travel by air within the United States on an average day. A 10% reduction in capacity across 40 high-volume markets could therefore affect thousands of daily flights, potentially causing cancellations and delays that ripple through airline schedules and freight operations.
Secretary Duffy said the FAA intends to use a data-driven method to select which markets will see reductions, taking into account traffic patterns, staffing availability and safety considerations. He added that, if necessary, the department would not hesitate to take stronger actions to ensure airspace safety.
What travelers should expect
Travelers are likely to see increased delays and possible cancellations in the affected markets once the reductions begin. Airlines and the FAA are expected to announce affected routes and guidance in the coming days. Passengers are advised to monitor notifications from their carriers and check flight status before traveling.
Outlook
