The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on October 4, 2023, that it will implement a 10% reduction in air traffic across 40 “high-volume” markets starting Friday morning. This decision aims to maintain travel safety during the ongoing government shutdown, which has placed significant strain on air traffic controllers. The FAA manages over 44,000 flights daily, including commercial, cargo, and private aircraft, meaning this cutback will likely disrupt thousands of flights nationwide.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford did not specify which airports would be impacted but indicated that these restrictions would remain in effect for as long as necessary. Air traffic controllers have worked without pay since the shutdown began on October 1, often taking on additional shifts and overtime. Frustration among staff has led to some calling in sick, while others struggle with financial pressures related to childcare and transportation costs. These staffing shortages during certain shifts have already caused delays at various airports across the United States.
In light of safety concerns, Bedford stated, “We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating.” He emphasized that while the system is currently safe, ongoing pressures could necessitate further measures.
As part of the FAA’s response, Bedford and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy plan to meet with airline executives to discuss the implementation of these flight reductions. A list of affected airports is expected to be released on Thursday.
Airlines and passengers are in a state of uncertainty regarding the FAA’s decision. The Associated Press reached out to major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, and American Airlines, for comments. While calls to the customer service hotlines of United and American were answered promptly, nervous travelers have not overwhelmed the airlines with inquiries about their flights. Southwest Airlines is currently assessing how the air traffic reductions may affect its schedule and will contact customers whose travel plans could be impacted.
Travel industry experts are advising passengers to stay informed. A spokesperson for AAA, Aixa Diaz, noted that some travelers are reconsidering their plans and opting to drive instead of fly, though this is not feasible for everyone. She recommended that those with booked flights download their airline’s app to receive updates and check airport websites for the latest information. “It’s frustrating for travelers because there’s not much you can do,” Diaz said. “At the end of the day, you either fly or you don’t.”
The FAA regularly adjusts flight operations in response to various factors, including weather, equipment failures, and staffing shortages. Last weekend saw some of the most significant staffing issues since the shutdown began, marking it as the longest on record. From Friday to Sunday evening, at least 39 air traffic control facilities reported limited staffing, significantly above the pre-shutdown average of 8.3 facilities reporting potential issues during weekends.
Major airlines, aviation unions, and the travel industry are collectively urging Congress to end the shutdown. The FAA’s announcement came shortly after Duffy warned that chaos could ensue in the skies if air traffic controllers miss their second paycheck next Tuesday. He stated that the FAA is taking a proactive approach to avoid a crisis, drawing lessons from previous incidents, including a fatal mid-air collision in January near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Duffy remarked, “We learned from that. And so now we look at data, and before it would become an issue, we try to assess the pressure and try to make moves before there could be adverse consequences.” The FAA’s current measures reflect an effort to maintain operational safety while facing unprecedented challenges due to the government shutdown.
