The unprecedented order, expected to take effect within 36 hours, has thrown the aviation sector into disarray as airlines scramble to adjust schedules and millions of passengers flood customer service lines over fears of canceled or delayed flights, according to Reuters.
In a move underscoring the growing chaos from America’s record-breaking government shutdown, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Wednesday that he would slash flight operations by 10% across 40 major airports, citing air traffic control safety concerns as the crisis entered its 36th day.
The unprecedented order, expected to take effect within 36 hours, has thrown the aviation sector into disarray as airlines scramble to adjust schedules and millions of passengers flood customer service lines over fears of canceled or delayed flights, according to Reuters.
Duffy said the cuts could be reversed if Democrats agree to reopen the government, signaling yet another political maneuver in the high-stakes standoff between the White House and Congress.
The shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — has left more than 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay.
“The reality is that we can’t compromise on safety,” Duffy told reporters in Washington. “Our job is to make the hard decisions to keep America’s airspace safe.”
According to industry insiders, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has informed major U.S. carriers that capacity reductions would begin at 4%, rise to 6% over the weekend, and reach 10% next week. The plan aims to ease pressure on overworked controllers amid widespread staff shortages.
“We can’t ignore what’s happening,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. “We’re taking action now to prevent deterioration in safety standards. The system is extremely safe today and will remain so tomorrow.”
Although the FAA did not immediately disclose the affected airports, the 30 busiest hubs—including New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas—are expected to take the brunt of the impact. Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimated the cuts could eliminate as many as 1,800 daily flights, reducing capacity by roughly 268,000 seats.
The FAA is short about 3,500 controllers, forcing those still on duty to endure mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown began.
Major U.S. carriers have already begun revising their flight plans. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told employees that long-haul international and hub-to-hub operations will be protected, while regional and non-hub domestic flights will face cuts.
Kirby also pledged flexibility for passengers. “Any customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund, even if their flight isn’t directly impacted,” he said.
American Airlines echoed the sentiment, promising minimal disruption for most customers. Southwest Airlines, the nation’s largest domestic carrier, said it was assessing the impact of the FAA order and urged Congress to “immediately resolve the funding impasse.”
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing more than 55,000 crew members at 20 airlines, blasted the shutdown as “a cruel attack on all Americans.”
“The false narrative that this shutdown is a choice between paying federal workers or protecting affordable healthcare is outrageous,” said union president Sara Nelson. “Both crises were created by the very people who have the power to end them.”
The shutdown, which began on October 1, has already shuttered key government services, suspended food assistance for millions, and furloughed about 750,000 federal employees. It stems from a political impasse between Democrats — who insist on preserving healthcare subsidies — and Republicans aligned with President Donald Trump, who refuse to compromise on spending demands.
