Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced a 10% reduction in air traffic capacity at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, citing major safety concerns resulting from the ongoing government shutdown. The restrictions, set to take effect Friday if a funding resolution is not reached, will impact both commercial and cargo flights. The move comes as the shutdown, which began on October 1, stretches into its sixth week—making it the longest in U.S. history.
Duffy described the measure as a necessary “risk-mitigation strategy,” warning that continued FAA staffing shortages could lead to unsafe conditions in the national airspace system. Federal Aviation Administration officials report that up to 40% of air traffic controllers are absent in some key markets, while the rest are working without pay. TSA officers face similar staffing shortages, creating added concerns about airport security and operational delays.
The FAA estimates that up to 4,000 flights per day could be affected nationwide. A full list of the affected airports will be published Thursday morning. Airlines are bracing for major disruptions during the busy holiday season, with flight delays and cancellations expected to ripple across the system.
Economic analysts warn that reduced flight capacity could hurt business travel, strain supply chains, and dampen holiday retail deliveries. National security experts also point out that delays in air logistics could impact defense readiness and emergency response operations.
With bipartisan talks in Congress still stalled, Duffy’s announcement has added urgency to negotiations, as critical infrastructure and commerce edge closer to large-scale disruption.
