FAA Announces 10% Reduction in Flights at 40 Major Airports Across US Because of Shutdown

"The ongoing shutdown has brought widespread challenges, with food stamps and other benefits on hold, crucial data reports not being produced, and many federal employees going without pay including the air traffic controllers who serve an invaluable role for flight safety. During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said certain measures would be necessary to address the pressure that is building in the system on air traffic controllers already short-staffed, but now working without pay for weeks."

"One key step they were taking, Duffy said, was a ten percent reduction in capacity at 40 major airports across the U.S., again acknowledging that this would lead to additional disruptions and frustration. The decisions about what flights to reduce were based on data, Duffy explained not based on what airline travels has more flights out of what location, but where is the pressure on air traffic controllers."

"Bedford said that the data was showing issues of fatigue among air traffic controllers and other troubling signs from voluntary safety disclosure reports. As we slice the data more granularly, said Bedford, we are seeing pressures built in a way that we do not feel will if we allow it to go unchecked will allow us to continue to tell the public that we operate the safest airline system in the world. Bedford emphasized they wanted to try to be proactive"

The FAA announced a 10% capacity reduction at 40 major U.S. airports to ease burdens on air traffic controllers amid the government shutdown. The shutdown has paused food stamps and benefits, halted key data reports, and left many federal employees unpaid, including controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the measures are data-driven and aimed at where controller pressure is highest. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford cited fatigue indicators and troubling voluntary safety disclosures, warning that unchecked pressures could undermine the safety of the airline system. Officials emphasized proactive steps despite expected disruptions and public frustration.

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