"Safety concerns The FAA is currently facing staffing shortages. While some air traffic controllers are not working during the shutdown, others are working unpaid. It has already resulted in mass delays to flights across the United States. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the shutdown is causing staffing pressures and "we can't ignore it." Bedford and US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet later on Wednesday with airline leaders to figure out how to safely implement the reduction."
"An airline industry group has estimated that over 3.2 million passengers have already been affected by flight delays or cancellations due to rising air traffic controller absences since the shutdown began on October 1. The shutdown is now the longest in US history. Airlines said the shutdown has, so far, not significantly affected their business but have warned bookings could drop if it continues for much longer. More than 2,100 flights were, for instance, disrupted on Wednesday."
"On Tuesday, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that 20% to 40% of air traffic controllers at the agency's 30 largest airports were not working. According to the FAA, nearly 13,000 controllers have been working without pay for weeks."
The FAA will cut air traffic by 10% across 40 "high-volume" markets beginning Friday to maintain safety during the government shutdown. The agency faces staffing shortages as some air traffic controllers are not working while others continue to work without pay. Mass delays and cancellations have already affected millions of passengers and thousands of flights. An industry group estimates over 3.2 million passengers impacted since October 1. FAA leaders report 20% to 40% absences at the agency's 30 largest airports and nearly 13,000 controllers working without pay. Airline leaders will meet with FAA and Transportation Department officials to coordinate the reduction.
Read at www.dw.com
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