40 major US airports to cut 10% flights due to shutdown

US will reduce flight operations by 10 per cent at 40 major airports beginning on Friday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, citing mounting strain on air traffic control operations as the government shutdown entered its 36th day. The move, described as a precautionary measure, is expected to affect between 3,500 and 4,000 flights daily, including commercial and cargo operations. Officials did not immediately specify which airports would be subject to reductions, though further details are expected Thursday.

The announcement comes a day after Duffy warned of chaos in the skies next week if the shutdown continued. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the step was necessary to maintain safety standards amid staffing shortages caused by the ongoing shutdown, which has left thousands of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners working without pay.

As per information, Controllers have been working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1, often clocking six-day weeks with mandatory overtime. Many have been calling in sick, taking second jobs, or struggling with daily expenses, resulting in staff shortages and delays at several airports.FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said this was a measure he had “not seen in 35 years in aviation.”