U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a warning on Friday, stating that the government may require airlines to reduce flights by up to 20% if the ongoing shutdown persists. In response to directives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airlines have already cut four percent of domestic flights at 40 major airports to ease pressure on air traffic controllers, with plans to increase the cuts to 10% by November 14.
Secretary Duffy mentioned the possibility of further cuts up to 20% based on airspace data analysis. The extended government shutdown has resulted in 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners working without pay, leading to increased absenteeism. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford reported that between 20 to 40% of controllers were absent on any given day.
The Trump administration is urging Democrats to agree to a Republican funding plan to reopen the federal government. Democrats, however, blame Republicans for the shutdown, citing their refusal to negotiate on extending health insurance subsidies. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed frustration over the shutdown, highlighting the impact on air travel during the holiday season.
The current flight reductions primarily affect the four major carriers—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines—with approximately 700 flights already cut. These reductions are set to increase to six percent by Tuesday and do not apply to international flights.
Amidst increasing flight disruptions, air traffic controller absences on Friday led to delays at 10 airports, including Atlanta, San Francisco, and Houston. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom anticipates minimal disruption for customers from the initial cuts but warns of potential issues with further reductions.
United Airlines reported that half of affected customers were rebooked within four hours of their original departure time. The ongoing flight reductions aim to ensure safety by compensating for fatigued and absent air traffic controllers.
The FAA also imposed restrictions on space launches and warned of potential further cuts to general aviation flights at high-traffic airports if staffing challenges persist. Airlines have raised concerns over the impact of these mandated reductions on operations and communities, with the FAA publishing the list of affected airports less than 12 hours before the cuts went into effect.
The ongoing government shutdown has raised uncertainties in the aviation industry, with the potential for increased disruptions and delays as negotiations continue.
