FAA Mandates 10% Air Traffic Reduction as Longest US Government Shutdown Intensifies Aviation Safety Concerns
The FAA is reducing air traffic by 10% at 40 major airports due to the longest US government shutdown, impacting over 3.2 million passengers and raising aviation safety concerns.
Overview
- The FAA, DOT, and US Federal Aviation Administration are implementing a 10% reduction in air traffic across 40 major airports to ensure safety during the ongoing government shutdown.
- This measure addresses severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, who are working without pay, leading to fatigue, stress, and some taking on side jobs.
- Over 3.2 million passengers have been affected by widespread flight delays and cancellations nationwide due to controller absences and reduced flight capacity.
- The US government shutdown has become the longest in history, with federal workers, including air traffic controllers, going without pay for 35-36 days.
- Major airlines and aviation unions are urgently calling on Congress to end the shutdown, citing significant aviation safety risks and potential "mass chaos" in the skies.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by consistently emphasizing the government shutdown as the direct and urgent cause of flight reductions. They highlight the severe impact on air traffic controllers, detailing their fatigue and financial strain from working without pay. This collective editorial choice underscores the shutdown's negative consequences on essential services and public safety, making it the central narrative driver.
"The government shutdown, now on its 36th day, is the longest in U.S. history."
CBS News"The FAA is set to start cutting the number of flights in the "high traffic" parts of the country as the government shutdown grinds on and local airports have reported staffing shortages."
NBC News"The FAA is confronting staffing shortages among air traffic controllers who have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1, with some calling out of work, resulting in delays across the country."
Chicago Tribune"The FAA is confronting staffing shortages among air traffic controllers who have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1, with some calling out of work, resulting in delays across the country."
Chicago Sun-Times"The flight cuts are a response to staffing pressures on air traffic controllers due to the government shutdown."
USA TODAY"The FAA is confronting staffing shortages among air traffic controllers who have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1, with some calling out of work, resulting in delays across the country."
Associated Press"The longer this goes on, every day, these hardworking Americans have bills they have to pay, and they're being forced to make decisions and choices."
CBS News"Duffy warned that disruptions at U.S. airports will get worse as the government shutdown continues, indicating that air traffic controllers may be forced to close certain parts of the airspace due to a lack of personnel."
Gizmodo"Duffy predicted Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies next week if the government shutdown drags on and air traffic controllers miss a second paycheck."
Associated Press"The Department of Transportation might be forced to shut down the airspace in certain parts of the country if the government shutdown continues into next week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Tuesday."
ABC News"The situation in U.S. airports will only get worse as the shutdown drags on."
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FAQ
The FAA has not yet released the final list of the 40 affected airports, but it is expected to include most major hubs such as JFK, EWR, LGA, ATL, ORD, DFW, IAH, MIA, LAX, SFO, DEN, and others with documented staffing shortages. The list will be officially announced on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The FAA is reducing air traffic to maintain safety amid severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, who are working without pay during the government shutdown. This has led to increased fatigue, absences, and mounting safety concerns.
The 10% reduction will impact thousands of flights nationwide, affecting over 3.2 million passengers with delays and cancellations. Both commercial and cargo flights will be affected, and there may also be restrictions on space launches.
The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, and is now in its 36th day, making it the longest in US history. The shutdown is due to a failure to pass federal appropriations bills, leaving essential workers, including air traffic controllers, without pay.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that if staffing pressures continue to build after the initial reductions, the agency will consider taking additional measures to ensure safety in the National Airspace System.
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