FAA flight reductions start today: Full list and map of affected U.S. airports

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated that, beginning today, flights across America will be reduced at 40 airports due to the ongoing government shutdown. According to the agency, the flight reductions are being implemented due to safety issues stemming from a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are not being paid during the shutdown. The reductions are expected to lead to a wave of flight cancellations, the number of which is set to increase every day between now and November 14."

"The FAA says it has safety concerns stemming from the ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1 and is the longest US government shutdown in history. Hundreds of thousands of government workers have been furloughed without pay during the shutdown. But some federal employees, including air traffic controllers, are designated as essential workers. Those workers are required to stay on the job during a shutdown, though their pay is paused."

"The problem is that those essential workers still have bills to pay, so as the shutdown drags on, necessity dictates that some are resigning to take on other paid roles in the private sector, while others are calling in sick. Fewer air traffic controllers and other essential airport staff reporting to work means the risk to flier safety increases. To help mitigate that growing risk, the FAA has now decided to restrict a select number of flights at 40 U.S. airports."

The FAA ordered flight reductions at 40 U.S. airports starting November 7 because of safety concerns tied to an air traffic controller shortage during the government shutdown. The shutdown began October 1 and has left many federal workers furloughed without pay; essential controllers remain on duty but unpaid, leading some to resign or call in sick. Fewer controllers and essential staff increase risks to flier safety. The FAA will phase in a 10% reduction over a week to mitigate those risks, and cancellations are expected to rise daily through November 14 as the reductions take effect.

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