Airlines reacted to news that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be reducing air traffic by 10 percent on Friday across 40 airports nationwide amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Why It Matters
The announcement of air traffic decline marks a critical response to persistent staffing shortages triggered by the prolonged work stoppage on Capitol Hill.
The move underscores deepening concerns around air travel safety and the operational stability of the national aviation system. Airline industry leaders, unions and government officials have voiced concerns about the strain on vital employees like air traffic controllers, who are working without pay and increasingly unable to maintain regular shifts.
This development poses potentially significant implications for American travelers and the airline industry dependent on reliable air transportation.
What To Know
Taking to X on Wednesday, United Airlines said in part that “These reductions will start Friday, November 7. We will continue to make rolling updates to our schedule so we can provide several days’ advance notice.”
The airline added, “United’s long-haul international and hub-to-hub flights will not be impacted. Instead, the focus is on schedule reductions to regional and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hub airports.”
American Airlines also reacted to the news, saying on X in part, “Due to the ongoing government shutdown and nationwide air traffic control staffing shortages, the FAA has directed airlines to reduce flight schedules to maintain safe airspace operations starting Friday, Nov. 7. We expect the vast majority of customers’ travel will proceed as planned, and we will proactively reach out to customers who are impacted as schedule changes are made.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced that beginning Friday, the FAA will cut air traffic by 10 percent at 40 major airports nationwide. The targeted reduction is expected to affect thousands of daily flights. These measures arise as essential staff—particularly air traffic controllers—have been working without paychecks. Duffy said he, alongside the FAA and airlines, acted to preserve safety before staffing drops led to severe risks or incidents.
“There may be flight delays or cancellations. Our top priority is that when Americans fly, they will make it to their destination safely because @USDOT and the @FAANews have done their work,” Duffy said on X Wednesday.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social Wednesday: “The Radical Left Democrats are causing millions of Americans who depend on food stamps to go without benefits, they’re forcing federal workers to go without paychecks, and they’re stranding thousands of travelers at airports!”
The FAA, in a statement to Newsweek via email on Wednesday night: “As Secretary Duffy has said, there have been increased staffing shortages across the system. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations.”
What Happens Next
The timeline for restoring normal flight schedules depends on resolution of the federal funding impasse, with hopes among officials for expedited congressional action.
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