The US Department of Transportation has announced a planned reduction in air travel capacity at 40 major US airports, commencing Friday morning, if the government shutdown persists. The decision stems from reports of fatigue among air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay during what is now the longest government shutdown in US history.
Planned Flight Reductions
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of a 10% reduction in air travel capacity if the shutdown continues. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head, Bryan Bedford, stated that the decision was made due to air traffic controllers reporting issues with fatigue.
The flight reductions will be implemented gradually, starting with a 4% reduction in domestic flights on Friday, increasing to 5% on Saturday, and 6% on Sunday. The full 10% reduction is projected for the following week. These cancellations could affect between 3,500 and 4,000 flights daily. Officials stated that the names of the affected high-traffic airports are scheduled for release on Thursday.
Secretary Duffy affirmed that air travel remains safe and that the cancellations are a measure to maintain safety and efficiency. Bedford indicated that further restrictive measures may be necessary if the shutdown prolongs and adds more pressure to the system.
Impact of the Government Shutdown
The current government shutdown began on October 1, leading to most federal workers being sent home, while essential personnel, including air traffic controllers, continued to work without pay. This situation has prompted some controllers to call out sick or seek side jobs.
Airports began experiencing effects shortly after the shutdown started. Some flights were grounded for hours due to controllers calling out sick, and other airports relied on controllers from different locations. Secretary Duffy had previously warned of potential cancellations due to staff shortages, with half of the country's 30 major airports experiencing such issues. He also cited risks associated with air traffic controllers taking additional jobs during the shutdown and had threatened to terminate controllers who did not report to work.
Airline Responses
Southwest Airlines, identified as the fourth-largest carrier in North America, issued a statement indicating it is evaluating the potential impact of the restrictions on its services and plans to inform customers promptly. The airline urged Congress to resolve the impasse to restore full capacity to the National Airspace System. Delta Airlines declined to comment on the matter.