FAA to reduce flights by 10 percent as US government shutdown drags on

"The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will reduce air traffic by 10 percent across 40 high-volume markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown, it has said. The agency made the announcement on Wednesday as it confronts staffing shortages caused by air traffic controllers, who are working unpaid, with some calling out of work during the shutdown, resulting in delays across the country."

"FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is not going to wait for a problem to act, saying the shutdown is causing staffing pressures and we can't ignore it. Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet later Wednesday with airline leaders to figure out how to safely implement the reduction. The shutdown, now in its 36th day, has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers to work without pay."

"Duffy had warned on Tuesday that if the federal government shutdown continued another week, it could lead to mass chaos and force him to close some of the national airspace to air traffic, a drastic move that could upend American aviation. Airlines have repeatedly urged an end to the shutdown, citing aviation safety risks. Shares of major airlines, including United Airlines and American Airlines, were down about 1 percent in extended trading."

The FAA will reduce air traffic by 10 percent across 40 high-volume markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety amid the government shutdown. Staffing shortages have emerged because 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers are working without pay, with some controllers calling out and causing widespread delays and long security lines. The reduction aims to ease pressure on controllers. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will meet with airline leaders to plan implementation. The FAA warned further restrictions could follow, while officials warned the shutdown could force partial airspace closures and disrupt aviation; airlines urge an end.

Read at www.aljazeera.com