FAA Slashes 10% of US Flights in 40 Major Cities as Historic Government Shutdown Drags On
Washington, DC, November 11 - In a stark escalation of the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday that it will slash air traffic by 10% across 40 high-volume U.S. markets starting Friday morning, impacting commercial flights, private aviation, and even space launches amid mounting air traffic controller shortages. The decision, confirmed by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, comes as the shutdown, now in its 37th day since October 1, surpasses the record 35-day impasse of 2018-2019, leaving over 800,000 federal workers unpaid and essential services on the brink. With air traffic control facilities nationwide reporting 20-40% absenteeism due to fatigue and financial strain, the FAA cited safety as paramount, warning that unchecked pressures could lead to "mass chaos" in the skies. This unprecedented flight reduction targets bustling hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta, where daily operations already strain under pre-existing staffing gaps of 3,000 controllers, forcing mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the crisis hit.
The ripple effects of these FAA flight cuts are poised to disrupt holiday travel plans for millions, as airlines scramble to reschedule thousands of flights and passengers face cascading delays, cancellations, and skyrocketing rebooking fees. Major carriers, including Delta, United, and American Airlines, have voiced alarm, estimating that over 3.2 million travelers have already been hit by shutdown-related disruptions since early October, with Tuesday alone seeing 2,565 delays nationwide. TSA screeners, also working without pay, are bracing for longer lines at security checkpoints, while ground crews and baggage handlers report burnout. Economists from the Congressional Budget Office project a 1-2 percentage point hit to fourth-quarter GDP growth if the stalemate persists, exacerbating supply chain woes and consumer spending dips from furloughed workers. For families eyeing Thanksgiving reunions or Black Friday escapes, the message is clear: check flight statuses obsessively, as this government shutdown's toll on U.S. air travel could linger well into December, turning routine trips into logistical nightmares.
At the heart of this aviation crisis lies a deepening partisan divide in Congress, where Republicans push for deep spending cuts via rescissions under the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) agenda, clashing with Democrats' demands to safeguard programs like SNAP food assistance and Affordable Care Act credits. Senate Republicans' 13 failed attempts to advance funding bills underscore the impasse, with Vice President JD Vance urging Democrats to "stop arguing" and pass a clean continuing resolution. Yet, as the shutdown withholds $21 billion in federal paychecks by month's end, including for 1.1 million active-duty troops, air traffic controllers, through their union, warn of a "tipping point" where morale collapses entirely. The FAA's proactive 10% slash aims to avert worse scenarios, like temporary airspace closures, but experts fear it signals broader vulnerabilities in America's aviation infrastructure, already plagued by aging radar systems and pilot shortages.
As the historic government shutdown endures without resolution in sight, the FAA's bold move to curb U.S. flights underscores the human cost of political gridlock, urging lawmakers to prioritize safety and stability before the holiday rush amplifies the fallout. Travelers are advised to monitor FAA updates and airline apps closely, while advocates call for emergency legislation to backfill controller pay and restore normalcy. In an era of record air travel demand, this shutdown's shadow over 40 major cities serves as a wake-up call: unchecked fiscal battles risk grounding not just planes, but the nation's economic engine.
