U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday a mandatory 10% reduction in flights at 40 major U.S. airports, according to Reuters. The drastic measure comes as the government shutdown enters its 36th day, causing critical staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. Over a month in, the shutdown has also raised safety concerns throughout the national airspace system.
The announcement triggered immediate reactions from airlines, which are now scrambling to adjust schedules with just 36 hours’ notice. At the same time, passenger service hotlines have been flooded with concerned travelers seeking information about potential flight cancellations and disruptions in the coming days.
Shutdown Reveals The True Scale Of Workforce Shortages
The government shutdown has forced approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents to work without pay. Now the longest in U.S. history, the shutdown has created unprecedented strains on the aviation system. According to Secretary Duffy, the decision to reduce flights was based on a confidential safety assessment that raised concerns about controller performance after more than a month without pay.
“We had a gut check of what is our job,” Duffy told reporters. “Our job is to make sure we make the hard decisions to continue to keep the airspace safe.” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford added, “When we see pressures building in these 40 markets, we just can’t ignore it. We can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating so the system is extremely safe today, will be extremely safe tomorrow.”
The flight reductions will be implemented gradually, starting at 4% and increasing to 10% by next week. The FAA has indicated that international flights will be exempted from these cuts.
According to reports from ABC News and CBS News, the following airports are expected to see flight reductions, though the list may be updated once the FAA releases its official version.
- Anchorage International (ANC)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Boston Logan International (BOS)
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
- Dallas Love (DAL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
- Newark Liberty International (EWR)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
- Honolulu International (HNL)
- Houston Hobby (HOU)
- Washington Dulles International (IAD)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Indianapolis International (IND)
- New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS)
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Orlando International (MCO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Memphis International (MEM)
- Miami International (MIA)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP)
- Oakland International (OAK)
- Ontario International (ONT)
- Chicago O`Hare International (ORD)
- Portland International (PDX)
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
- San Diego International (SAN)
- Louisville International (SDF)
- Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA)
- San Francisco International (SFO)
- Salt Lake City International (SLC)
- Teterboro (TEB)
- Tampa International (TPA)
Airlines Assess Operational And Financial Fallout
Major carriers are now working to determine which flights to cancel while minimizing passenger disruption. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby outlined the carrier’s strategy, assuring staff and customers that long-haul international and hub-to-hub operations will remain unchanged, with cuts primarily targeting regional flying and non-hub domestic routes.
American Airlines indicated most of its customers would experience minimal disruption, while Southwest Airlines, the largest domestic carrier, continues to evaluate how the cuts will affect its schedule.
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