FAA Cuts Flights by 10% across 40 ‘High-Volume’ Cities amid Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The FAA will reduce air traffic by 10% in 40 major U.S. markets starting Friday, citing safety concerns as air traffic controllers work unpaid during the government shutdown. With increased fatigue, staffing shortages, and growing flight delays, the move aims to prevent a looming aviation crisis. Airlines are scrambling to adjust schedules, and industry experts warn of widespread disruption.
FAA Flight Reductions Quick Looks
- FAA will cut flights by 10% in 40 high-traffic U.S. markets starting Friday.
- Air traffic controllers are strained, working overtime without pay during the shutdown.
- Staffing shortages have already caused delays at several major airports.
- FAA officials say action was taken to avoid a major aviation safety incident.
- Airlines like United and American plan to cancel regional flights and offer refunds.
- The cuts could affect nearly 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats.
- Airlines had just 48 hours to adjust schedules, sparking operational chaos.
- Industry leaders and unions are urging Congress to end the shutdown.
- Weekend data shows a steep rise in under-staffed air traffic control facilities.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the FAA is acting proactively to avoid disaster.
Deep Look: FAA Slashes Flights in 40 Cities Amid Shutdown-Fueled Air Traffic Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an unprecedented move triggered by growing safety concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 of the nation’s busiest markets starting Friday morning, as the ongoing government shutdown enters its second month.
With air traffic controllers stretched to the limit—working without pay and logging excessive overtime—FAA officials said the step is necessary to protect passengers, crews, and airspace operations.
“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
Why the FAA Is Cutting Flights
Since the October 1 shutdown, air traffic controllers have been working six days a week under mounting pressure. Many are taking on second jobs, missing time with families, or even calling out due to burnout and financial strain.
Bedford, along with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, cited internal safety reports and voluntary submissions from pilots warning of controller fatigue and declining staffing levels as major red flags.
“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself,” Bedford said. “The system is extremely safe today and will be extremely safe tomorrow — but only if we act now.”
Airlines Prepare for Disruption
Airlines were given just 48 hours to adjust flight schedules, triggering a scramble to comply. Though the FAA hasn’t released the full list of impacted airports yet, major carriers such as United, American, and Southwest confirmed they are preparing flight cuts.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told employees the airline will focus cancellations on regional and non-hub routes, avoiding disruptions to major international and hub-to-hub operations. He promised refunds for all impacted passengers, even if their flights aren’t officially canceled.
“We want to maintain the integrity of our network,” Kirby said. “That gives customers the best chance to resume their trips with as little disruption as possible.”
Customer service centers were fielding calls but had not reported overwhelming wait times as of Wednesday evening.
Potential Impact: Thousands of Flights, Hundreds of Thousands of Seats
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, the 10% cut could equate to nearly 1,800 flights and as many as 268,000 lost seats across the country. For instance, Chicago O’Hare—which handles over 1,200 flights daily—could see over 120 flights cut in a single day.
Critics Say Airlines Weren’t Warned Early Enough
Aviation analyst Henry Harteveldt called the FAA’s move “necessary” but slammed the rollout.
“To give airlines just 48 hours to rework months of scheduling is a recipe for chaos,” said Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group. “This looks like a pressure tactic to force Congress to end the shutdown.”
Travel industry groups agree. AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz advised passengers to stay updated via airline apps and social media, adding:
“This is frustrating because travelers don’t have much control. At the end of the day, you either fly — or you don’t.”
FAA Staffing Data Shows Rapid Deterioration
An AP analysis of FAA operations shows that 39 different air traffic control facilities reported staffing concerns just this past weekend — a record high since the shutdown began.
- Prior to the shutdown, an average of 8.3 facilities per weekend reported potential staffing shortfalls.
- Since October 1, that number has tripled to 26.2 per weekend.
- These include airport towers, regional traffic centers, and high-altitude control facilities across the U.S.
Industry Urges Shutdown Resolution Before Catastrophe
The flight reductions follow Transportation Secretary Duffy’s warning earlier this week that aviation could descend into “chaos in the skies” if the shutdown forces air traffic controllers to miss a second paycheck by next Tuesday.
Duffy referenced the January midair collision between a military helicopter and commercial aircraft as a wake-up call.
“We’ve learned from past mistakes,” Duffy said. “Now, we analyze the data and take preemptive action to avoid disaster.”
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