The government has ordered a 10% cut in domestic flights across major U.S. airports as the historic shutdown disrupts operations and affects over three million passengers.
The U.S. government has ordered a 10% reduction in flights across 40 major airports as the nation grapples with the longest federal shutdown in its history.
The measure, announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, is aimed at ensuring air traffic safety as thousands of employees continue working unpaid.
The decision forced airlines to drastically cut schedules within 36 hours, triggering widespread disruption and panic among travelers. Customer service lines were flooded as millions sought alternatives for their upcoming trips.
Duffy said the cuts could be reversed if Congress approves reopening the government, now at a 36-day deadlock. Over 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents are currently working without pay, according to official estimates.
The Trump administration has blamed Democrats for prolonging the shutdown, while Democrats argue that Republicans are holding essential health and social programs hostage.
Since the shutdown began, tens of thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled due to staff shortages. Airlines estimate that over 3.2 million passengers have been affected so far. “Our job is to make tough decisions to keep the airspace safe today and tomorrow,” Duffy told reporters.
During a meeting with major airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the cuts would roll out gradually—starting with a 4% reduction, then 5% by Saturday, 6% Sunday, and reaching 10% next week. International routes will remain exempt to mitigate global disruptions.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that pressures across 40 key markets “cannot be ignored.” He added, “We are taking action now to prevent the situation from worsening.”
Duffy also warned that if aviation safety becomes compromised, the government could take the extraordinary step of shutting down U.S. airspace altogether. “If we believed it wasn’t safe, we’d close everything,” he told CNBC, clarifying that the situation has not yet reached that stage.
The FAA, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), reported that about 13,000 air traffic controllers have gone weeks without pay, enduring “severe stress and fatigue.”
Industry analysts caution that if the shutdown continues, aviation safety could face unprecedented risks—potentially grounding one of America’s most vital transportation systems.
