US Air travel faces major cutbacks as shutdown strains FAA workforce

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that a wave of flight cancellations could soon disrupt travel across the United States, as the ongoing government shutdown continues to push the aviation system to breaking point.

Starting Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will begin cutting air traffic capacity at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports—by as much as 10%—to protect safety standards amid mounting staff fatigue. The reductions will roll out gradually, beginning with 4% of flights on Friday and climbing to the full 10% next week. That could mean between 3,500 and 4,000 flights cancelled daily.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters the situation was “unprecedented,” with air traffic controllers working unpaid for more than a month. “We are reaching a point where we can no longer assure the public we’re operating the safest airspace in the world if these pressures continue unchecked,” he said.

Roughly 1.4 million federal workers, including air traffic controllers and park wardens, are either furloughed or working without pay as Congress remains deadlocked over federal funding. Unions have reported rising stress levels among staff, some of whom have taken second jobs or fallen ill from exhaustion.

Major airlines have been left scrambling. American Airlines said it was awaiting guidance from the FAA to determine which flights would be affected but expected “the vast majority” of trips to proceed. Southwest Airlines said it was still evaluating how the reductions would impact passengers and urged Congress to “immediately resolve its impasse.” Delta declined to comment.

Since funding lapsed on October 1, the effects have rippled through airports nationwide, with some already experiencing delays and temporary shutdowns as short-staffed control towers struggle to keep pace. Nick Daniels, who leads the union representing over 20,000 aviation workers, said many controllers were “running on empty.”

“Some can’t even afford gas to drive to work,” he told CNN. “This system depends on predictability—and right now, there is none.”

Duffy acknowledged that air travel remains safe for now but said the flight reductions were necessary to maintain that safety. If the shutdown continues, he warned, more restrictions may follow. “Controllers are being forced to choose between showing up unpaid or finding other work just to feed their families,” he said earlier in the week. “That’s not sustainable for the world’s busiest air network.”

Image credit: Johannes Heel