The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce scheduled air traffic by up to 10% across 40 high‑volume U.S. airports starting Friday, Nov. 7, citing air traffic controller staffing strains during the government shutdown, now in its 37th day.
The FAA said Wednesday it will trim flight volumes at 40 "high‑volume" markets beginning Friday to protect safety amid controller fatigue and staffing shortfalls caused by the federal shutdown that began Oct. 1. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the plan and described it as a phased reduction that ramps to 10% if needed. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency wanted to act before early warning signs turn into a crisis.
Bedford told reporters the move follows signs of mounting strain on unpaid controllers: "We do recognize that the controllers have been working fastidiously for the last five weeks with this huge burden over their heads from lack of compensation ... we are starting to see some evidence that fatigue is starting to build in the system," he said. He emphasized that safety remains the overriding priority. Duffy called the cuts a data‑driven way to reduce pressure on facilities while the shutdown continues.
The reduction will initially focus on 40 of the busiest markets. Outlets including CBS News and the Associated Press published the proposed list, which spans coast to coast and includes Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles International (LAX), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK), Newark Liberty (EWR), Dallas‑Fort Worth (DFW), and Seattle‑Tacoma (SEA), among others. The FAA said the curbs will stay in place as long as necessary to maintain safety during the shutdown.
Major carriers began adjusting schedules ahead of the order. Delta Air Lines said it would comply with the FAA and Transportation Department directive and cancel about 170 flights on Friday, while maintaining most long‑haul international service. United Airlines said it will cut roughly 4% of its schedule from Friday through Sunday—fewer than 200 flights per day—prioritizing core hub and long‑haul routes. As of Thursday, news outlets reported hundreds of weekend flights had already been canceled system‑wide, with tallies approaching 700 as airlines pre‑emptively trimmed schedules.
Duffy, speaking in TV interviews Thursday morning, said taking about 10% of flights out of the affected markets is intended to ease bottlenecks and improve on‑time performance, noting earlier capacity restrictions at Newark this year that federal officials say stabilized operations during a period of equipment outages and controller shortages. He cautioned, however, that delays could still occur depending on day‑to‑day staffing.
The cuts come just weeks before the Thanksgiving travel period. Industry groups and airline executives have urged Congress to end the shutdown, warning that unpaid controllers and security officers—and rising absenteeism—are straining the system. While the administration and airline industry stress that flying remains safe, officials say slowing the system is the responsible way to preserve safety margins until staffing pressures ease.
Political recriminations intensified alongside the operational steps. According to the Daily Wire, a White House Rapid Response account on X posted “Thank A Democrat” in response to the cancellations; the administration has used similar language on its website to blame Democrats for the shutdown. Democrats, for their part, say Republicans should accept a funding deal that addresses health‑care subsidy issues tied to the stalemate.
As of Thursday, Nov. 6, the shutdown had reached Day 37—already the longest on record—heightening concerns that flight reductions could expand or persist if funding isn’t restored. Travelers are being advised to monitor airline apps and websites for rebooking options, fee waivers, and refunds where applicable.
