WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that beginning Friday, 10% of air traffic at 40 major U.S. airports will be reduced if the federal government shutdown continues. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency aims to prevent safety issues stemming from ongoing staffing shortages as air traffic controllers approach their second missed paycheck.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the affected airports will be identified Thursday after consultations with airlines. “We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself,” Bedford said. The cuts mark an unprecedented step as the shutdown—now the longest in U.S. history—continues to strain critical aviation operations.
The U.S. Travel Association’s CEO Geoff Freeman called all shutdowns “irresponsible,” warning that continued disruption could “damage confidence in U.S. air travel.” Bedford added that additional restrictions could follow if staffing pressures persist.
Analysts expect more cancellations and delays nationwide, particularly at high-traffic airports such as Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas. “These are unusual times,” Bedford noted. “We look forward to returning to business as usual.”
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