US to Cut Flights by 10% at 40 Major Airports Amid Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday announced sweeping reductions in US commercial air travel, ordering a 10 percent cut to scheduled flights at 40 of the nation’s largest airports.

Starting on Friday, the move aims to address the mounting pressures on an unpaid, overworked air traffic control workforce as the record-breaking government shutdown drags into its 36th day.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy delivered the news during a late-day press conference, explaining that the measure was taken to maintain passenger safety.

While officials stressed that the cut is temporary, analysts say these reductions could ground between 3,500 and 4,000 flights a day, disrupting the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers each week.

Why Did the FAA Announce a Nationwide Flight Cut?

The government shutdown, now the longest in US history, forced aviation authorities into drastic action as critical staff remain unpaid. Since October 1, about 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents have worked without pay.

Safety officials cited sharp increases in staff fatigue, mandatory overtime, and rising absenteeism, all of which threaten the system’s reliability and safety.

According to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, this past weekend saw the worst air traffic staffing shortages yet.

Nearly 100 'staffing triggers' were hit across FAA facilities in just three days, leaving understaffed control towers struggling to manage rising risk and necessitating operational changes to avoid catastrophic consequences.

Did you know?
The US National Airspace System is the most complex in the world, handling over 45,000 flights daily under normal conditions.

Which Airports and Passengers Are Most Affected?

The order targets the 40 busiest airports in the US, including major hubs in New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

While the complete list is expected from the FAA on Thursday, industry analysts anticipate that airports serving critical business and leisure routes will see the steepest cuts.

Flight tracking firms estimate as many as 1,800 planes could be grounded each day.

Over 268,000 airline seats could be removed from circulation, directly impacting business travelers, families, and key cargo routes.

Long lines, airport congestion, and sharply increased cancellations are expected until the shutdown is resolved.

How Are Airlines and Staff Responding to the Crisis?

The announcement sent major airlines scrambling to accommodate new restrictions. Carriers such as Southwest and the industry group Airlines for America began evaluating their schedules and reaching out to affected ticket holders within hours of the order.

United and American Airlines both confirmed plans to notify passengers of cancellations and rebooking options.

Labor unions warned that the strain on essential staff is unsustainable. Many air traffic controllers now work mandatory six-day workweeks, and some have turned to second jobs to support their families.

Increased sick calls further complicate scheduling, as some employees struggle with ongoing financial stress and burnout.

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What Does the Political Stalemate Mean for US Air Travel?

The current standoff between Republicans and Democrats continues to block critical funding, with each side blaming the other for passenger disruptions.

Democrats are demanding continued health insurance subsidies, while Republicans insist on budgetary reforms.

Until a budget deal is reached, federal agencies remain in limbo and US air travel faces growing uncertainty.

Shares of major airlines slipped about 1 percent in extended trading following the FAA’s announcement.

Some travel industry leaders worry that consumer confidence could slide further if the shutdown’s ripple effects persist into the busy holiday season or spill into international itineraries.

Could Further Disruptions or Safety Measures Follow?

FAA Administrator Bedford issued a stark warning that if staff shortages worsen or fatigue poses additional risk, even deeper service reductions are possible.

Aviation advocacy groups and passenger safety experts agree that more stringent cuts, though disruptive, may be preferable to risking a serious safety lapse.

For now, the air travel system remains in flux, and many look to Congress for an urgent resolution.

Travelers are advised to confirm flights frequently and plan for last-minute changes as capacity limits take effect.

With negotiations ongoing, the industry faces an uncertain path forward but remains focused on minimizing risks to the flying public.

The unprecedented nature of the current shutdown highlights the vulnerability of vital transportation systems to political conflict.

How Congress and the White House act in the coming days may set a defining precedent for US aviation policy and national crisis management.