Washington, USA – US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air travel capacity could drop by as much as 10% at 40 major airports in the coming days if the federal government shutdown continues.
Duffy indicated during a press briefing that the decision would only affect domestic flights. This is a result of the exhaustion of air traffic controllers who continue to work without pay. The shutdown has become the longest in US history since the beginning of October.
Flight reductions are expected to begin gradually, starting with a 4% cut on Friday and then increasing to 10% over the following week, according to Reuters sources. Officials said the affected airports, whose names will be announced on Thursday, include busy hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, and Los Angeles.
Duffy and FAA Administrator Brian Bedford emphasized that air travel remains safe. The measure is intended to maintain safety and efficiency. Major airlines such as American and Southwest have begun assessing the impact of the flight reductions on their services. Delta and other carriers have not yet commented.
Approximately 1.4 million federal employees are working without pay or on furlough due to Congress’s failure to approve a government budget. This has put pressure on the aviation system and increased the risk of burnout and absenteeism among air traffic controllers. As a result, authorities have warned airlines and passengers of the potential for widespread cancellations in the coming period.
