The Federal Aviation Administration will cut flight capacity by 10 percent at 40 major airports starting Friday morning. The government shutdown continues to strain the nation’s air traffic control system.
The announcement came Wednesday during a press conference with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. Air traffic controllers have been working without pay throughout the shutdown. Many are missing their second consecutive paycheck this week.
The staffing shortage has led to more absences and nationwide flight delays. Bedford said controllers are under serious pressure, and the agency is taking action before safety becomes a risk.
Secretary Duffy said the move is necessary to protect the airspace. Controllers are facing financial pressure at home while being asked to keep working full shifts.
“Many of these employees, they’re the head of household,” Duffy said. “They have their spouse at home, they have a child, or two, or three, and when they lose income, they are confronted with real-world difficulties in how they pay their bills.”
Duffy warned that Americans should expect more travel problems. He said the Department of Transportation will continue working with airlines, but safety comes first.
“I anticipate there will be additional disruptions. There will be frustration,” he said. “We are working with the airlines. They’re going to work with passengers. But in the end, our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible.”
Duffy said the 10 percent reduction will apply to airports where pressure is highest. He said it is not targeted at any specific airline.
“This is not based on what airline has more flights out of what location,” he said. “This is about where is the pressure and how do we alleviate the pressure.”
Bedford said controllers have been working for more than five weeks without pay. Fatigue is building in the system. The FAA believes a 10 percent reduction is the best way to reduce stress on the workforce.
“We’re not going to wait until we see something flashing red,” Bedford said. “We want to keep everything in the green.”
The FAA will also restrict space launches and limit general aviation flights in markets with severe shortages. Bedford said the agency will add more measures if conditions get worse.
Airlines for America, which represents commercial and cargo airlines, said it is working with the government to understand the full impact. The group said airlines will try to reduce the effect on passengers.
More delays and cancellations are expected. More than 2,100 U.S. flights were delayed Wednesday. Nearly 150 were canceled, according to FlightAware.
Duffy said the government will reduce flights “in a systematic way.” But he admitted that Americans should expect longer lines, fewer flights, and more missed connections.
The capacity cuts will remain until staffing improves. Bedford said the restrictions will stay in place until safety data “moves in the right direction.”
The shutdown is the longest in U.S. history. Air travel disruptions are becoming one of its most visible consequences.