The ongoing government shutdown has led to a shortage of air traffic controllers (ATC) at U. S. airports, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take drastic measures in order to maintain airspace safety. As a result, starting this Friday, thousands of flights will be reduced daily across 40 major airports in the country.
The announcement was made by U. S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford during a press conference on Wednesday, November 5. The plan is to reduce air traffic by 10% in “high-traffic” airports, which could result in the cancellation of 4,000 to 5,000 flights per day. The list of affected airports has not been released as of Thursday morning, but Bedford described the move as a “surgical” strategy to ensure safety in the midst of the ATC shortage.
Reports have shown that 13,000 air traffic controllers are currently working without pay, with 80% of them absent in the busy New York City area, also known as the “Core 30. ” While Duffy acknowledged the dedication of those who continue to work, he also expressed empathy towards those who are unable to come in due to financial struggles.
Despite the challenges posed by the shutdown, Duffy has reassured the public that they are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of flights. Cutting thousands of daily flights across major U. S. airports is just one of their measures to keep the airspace safe. According to Bedford, current data shows concerning conditions that could have serious consequences if not addressed.
The FAA administrator also emphasized that the system is currently “extremely safe” and will remain so in the future. Aviation security experts have backed this assessment, stating that flight safety is not compromised, but the service itself may be affected as 50,000 TSA workers continue to work without pay.
The recent announcement has caused many travelers to either cancel their Thanksgiving plans or face uncertainty about their flight status. In a Reddit discussion, some have shared their struggles with having to change or cancel their holiday plans due to the shutdown’s impact on flights. Others fear that their long-planned trip may also be disrupted, as they are also concerned about potential funding cuts in their line of work.
Despite the challenges, some believe that this airport chaos may finally bring an end to the shutdown. In the last shutdown in 2018-2019, which also occurred under President Donald Trump, the FAA was forced to limit flights at major airports due to air traffic controllers calling in sick. The shutdown ended just hours later.
U. S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman has reported that 60% of Americans are already reconsidering their travel plans due to the shutdown. He called for an end to the shutdown, stating that it is the travelers who will bear the “heavy and completely unnecessary price” of delays and cancellations this Thanksgiving.