In brief
The FAA announced that starting Friday, airport traffic will be reduced by 10% across 40 high-volume markets. This decision, prompted by a shortage of air traffic controllers who have been working unpaid since the government shutdown began on October 1, is intended to safeguard flight safety. Persistent delays have already been reported at several airports, leading aviation officials to take preventive measures to avoid greater disruptions. The impact of the ongoing shutdown continues to loom over the travel industry as stakeholders push for an end to the crisis.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 high-volume markets starting Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.
This critical measure is expected to affect thousands of flights nationwide as the FAA grapples with staffing shortages among air traffic controllers who have been working unpaid since the shutdown commenced on October 1.
Number of controllers has dropped as some have been calling out of work, resulting in significant delays across the country's airports. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford indicated that the agency could not afford to wait for a crisis to unfold, highlighting the pressing staffing pressures caused by the shutdown.
“We can’t ignore it,” Bedford commented. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Bedford are set to meet with airline executives to strategize on safely implementing this reduction in flights.
“The early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating,” Bedford asserted, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures.
While both Bedford and Duffy opted not to disclose the affected markets during a news conference, a comprehensive list is set to be released on Thursday.
“If the pressures continue to build even after we take these measures,” Bedford warned, “we’ll come back and take additional measures.” The anticipation of further disruptions looms large as major airlines, aviation unions, and the broader travel sector relentlessly urge Congress to resolve the shutdown.
Reports from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicate a broader slowdown across the nation's aviation system, marking the first signs of systemic disruptions linked to staffing shortages since the shutdown began, especially as controllers missed their first full paychecks last weekend.
Ongoing operations have emerged as a struggle for air traffic controllers, most of whom are subject to mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving them little time for additional work to handle household expenses. Addressing workload issues is crucial for maintaining air safety amid the cascading effects of the shutdown.
