Transit Chief Sean Duffy issued a warning that a ten percent reduction in flight availability will begin at forty major US airports starting this Friday, should the current government shutdown continue.
“This is unusual, just as the shutdown is unusual, just as the reality that our controllers are working unpaid for a month is exceptional,” stated FAA head Bryan Bedford.
During the shutdown, which is now the most extended in US history, controllers have been obligated to remain on duty uncompensated, prompting some to call out sick or take on secondary employment.
Affected Locations and Per-Day Travel Cancellations
The names of the affected airports—all high-traffic facilities—will be released on Thursday, officials confirmed.
The cancellations may impact between 3,500 and 4,000 air travel services daily.
Safety Concerns and Operational Strains
“There are pressures accumulate in a manner that we believe—without intervention—will allow us to continue telling the travelers that we operate the most secure airline system in the globe,” the FAA chief commented.
Duffy clarified that air travel remains secure, and the decision to cancel flights was made to maintain both safety and efficiency.
If the funding lapse persist and add more pressure to the aviation network, further restrictive measures could become necessary, he noted.
Context on the Funding Gap
Once government funds were exhausted on 1 October, the majority of federal workers were sent home and told they would be paid when the funding resumed. Employees deemed essential, such as air traffic staff, though, had to keep doing their jobs unpaid.
Shortly after the shutdown started, travel hubs started feeling the impact. Some were forced to halt flights for extended periods after air traffic controllers called out sick, while others relied on controllers from other airports.
Earlier Warnings and Personnel Shortages
Duffy had alerted earlier this week that flight cancellations were likely, as 50% of the nation's 30 major airports experience staff shortages.
Duffy earlier stated that there is a danger linked to air traffic controllers pursuing side work amid the shutdown, and had warned to fire controllers who fail to report for duty.
“Controllers must choose, should I report for duty and work unpaid and struggle to provide? Or else should I work for Uber or DoorDash or work in hospitality?” the Secretary remarked on a major network on Sunday.
