US to cut airline traffic by 10% due to shutdown, Trump transport chief says

"The transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, said on Wednesday the federal government would be reducing airline traffic by 10% at 40 locations beginning on Friday if the government shutdown does not end by then. The comments come after Duffy warned earlier this week that the US may close portions of its airspace if the shutdown, now on its record-breaking 36th day, does not end."

"The 10% reductions are aimed at reducing the stress on air traffic controllers, who have been working throughout the shutdown without pay. The shutdown, which began on 1 October, has since left shortages of up to 3,000 air traffic controllers, according to the administration, in addition to at least 11,000 more receiving zero wages despite working as essential workers over the last two weeks."

Federal officials will reduce airline traffic by 10% at 40 locations starting Friday if the government shutdown continues. The reductions aim to ease stress on air traffic controllers who have been working throughout the shutdown without pay. The shutdown began on 1 October and has reached a record-breaking 36th day. Transportation leadership warned that portions of US airspace may be closed if the shutdown does not end. Shortages have reached up to 3,000 air traffic controllers, with at least 11,000 additional staff receiving zero wages despite performing essential duties over recent weeks. Operational adjustments will target specific locations to lower controller workload and reduce risk to flight safety while pay issues remain unresolved.

Read at www.theguardian.com