Government Shutdown Paralyzes US Air Traffic: 10% Flight Reduction Implemented

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced late Wednesday a decision to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 major airport markets starting Friday morning. This measure is taken to maintain safety standards during the ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1st.

Impact and Controller Shortage

• Controller Shortage: The FAA faces a shortage of air traffic controllers who continue to work without pay due to the shutdown. This has led to absences and caused widespread delays across the country.

• Maintaining Safety: FAA Administrator Brian Bedford stated the agency would not wait for a crisis to act, citing increasing stress on personnel. He emphasized: "We cannot ignore it."

• Broad Impact: The reduction is expected to affect thousands of flights throughout the United States.

Agency Measures and Future Steps

• Coordinated Reduction: Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced they would meet with airline executives to discuss how to implement the flight reduction smoothly.

• Affected Markets: Both officials declined to disclose the 40 affected markets before formally notifying the airlines, noting that a list would be released on Thursday.

• Further Steps: Bedford warned that the administration would take "further additional steps" if the pressure continued to escalate even after this action is implemented.