Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that the United States will slash air travel capacity by 10% at 40 major airports starting Friday if the federal government shutdown continues.
The move comes amid growing reports of fatigue and stress among unpaid air traffic controllers, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Bryan Bedford said during a joint briefing with Duffy.
“This situation is extraordinary—our controllers haven’t been paid for a month,” Bedford said. “We’re seeing pressures build in a way that could compromise safety if we don’t act.”
Impact on Flights and Airports
According to Reuters, the FAA plans to roll out the reductions gradually—cutting 4% of domestic flights on Friday, 5% on Saturday, and 6% on Sunday, before reaching 10% next week. Officials said the list of affected airports—all major hubs—will be announced on Thursday.
In total, the cuts could ground 3,500 to 4,000 flights per day, affecting tens of thousands of travelers.
Airlines Respond
Major airlines are bracing for disruption.
American Airlines said it is awaiting FAA guidance but expects “the vast majority” of customers will still travel as planned.
Southwest Airlines said it is assessing the impact and will update customers as soon as possible, while urging Congress to “immediately resolve its impasse and restore the National Airspace System to full capacity.”
Delta Airlines declined to comment.
Federal Workers Under Pressure
About 1.4 million federal employees—from air traffic controllers to park rangers—are working without pay or on forced leave as Congress remains deadlocked on a funding bill.
Union leaders have warned that many controllers are exhausted, stressed, and taking on second jobs just to pay bills.
“Controllers are texting that they don’t even have gas money to get to work,” said Nick Daniels, president of the union representing over 20,000 aviation workers. “Our entire system depends on predictability, and right now, there is none.”
Safety Still Priority, Officials Say
Duffy stressed that the decision to cancel flights is a safety measure, not a response to immediate danger.
“Air travel remains safe,” he said. “We’re reducing capacity to keep it that way.”
However, Bedford warned that if the shutdown continues, the FAA may need to impose further restrictions to prevent system overloads.
The shutdown, now the longest in US history, began on October 1 when government funding expired. While “essential” workers like air traffic controllers must continue working, they will only be paid once the government reopens.
Airports have already experienced delays and temporary ground stops as staff shortages worsen and controllers call in sick.
Duffy has also cautioned that forcing controllers to work unpaid while taking on side jobs creates additional risks.
