US Transportation Secretary Announces Flight Reductions Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

Thu Nov 06 2025 16:56:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With air traffic controllers facing fatigue, the US government considers significant reductions in flight capacity across 40 major airports as the shutdown stretches into record territory.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that if the government shutdown persists, air travel capacity will be reduced by up to 10% at 40 major airports due to reported fatigue among air traffic controllers. This decision comes as the shutdown marks a historic length, impacting the well-being of federal workers tasked with ensuring safety. The gradual reductions are set to begin with a 4% decrease in domestic flights, escalating to a full 10% by next week. Unions report rising stress levels among workers, complicating the air travel landscape amid funding uncertainties.

In a concerning development, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has indicated that air travel capacity at 40 major airports could be cut by up to 10% in the wake of an ongoing government shutdown. This drastic measure is being contemplated due to increasing reports of fatigue among air traffic controllers, as noted by the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during a recent briefing.

Currently, around 1.4 million federal workers are without pay or on compelled leave due to the failure of Congress to agree on a federal funding budget. The shutdown, which recently became the longest in US history, has put unprecedented strain on essential government services, particularly in aviation.

Beginning Friday, flight reductions will start modestly at 4% and gradually rise to 10% by the following week, encompassing major airports such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Los Angeles International. It is estimated that these cuts could lead to 3,500 to 4,000 canceled flights daily.

Concerns about safety persist, with FAA officials emphasizing the importance of dealing with increasing operational stress within the air travel system. Duffy has reassured the public of the airline system's overall safety but warned that if the shutdown continues to escalate, further restrictive measures might be unavoidable.

Airline companies, including American Airlines and Southwest, are currently assessing the situation, hoping to minimize the impact on customers. Meanwhile, labor unions have reported instances of controllers struggling to manage their finances, with some taking on second jobs amid the financial strain caused by the shutdown.

As the government remains at a standstill, the repercussions for the aviation industry become increasingly pronounced, raising questions about the ability to maintain safety and operational efficiency in the long term.