Travelers passing through U.S. airports are bracing for potential disruptions as the FAA announces a reduction of flights by 10% due to ongoing government shutdown constraints. With the shutdown entering its second month, agency administrator Bryan Bedford revealed the plans at a recent press briefing.
Bedford explained that the FAA will identify 40 'high-volume markets' where the flight cuts will apply, aiming to ensure safety in airspace management under staffing pressures. According to estimates from aviation analytics firm Cirium, nearly 1,800 flights could be affected, representing more than 268,000 lost seats for travelers nationwide.
The unprecedented nature of this situation has raised concerns across the aviation industry. In a 35-year career, Bedford stated, he had never encountered such extensive operational measures amidst a government shutdown. Air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since October 1, face increasing challenges as many turn to overtime work just to manage their financial obligations.
An analysis of air traffic control operations revealed that weekends have shown a marked increase in staffing issues since the start of the shutdown, with 39 facilities reporting staff limits over the weekend. For comparison, pre-shutdown weekends averaged only 8 issues.
The response from industry representatives has been urgent, demanding Congress take action to end the shutdown. U.S. Travel Association President Geoff Freeman noted that the current situation puts undue strain on the aviation system and erodes public confidence in U.S. air travel.
With the possibility of air traffic chaos looming, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that missing another paycheck may push some controllers past their limits, challenging their ability to report to work. The pressure mounts as FAA officials strive to stabilize operations even if the shutdown were to end soon.
