In a significant development concerning air travel, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that air traffic capacity may be reduced by as much as 10% across 40 major airports if the ongoing government shutdown persists. This reduction is primarily due to reports of fatigue among air traffic controllers, as noted by the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during a recent briefing.
Currently, around 1.4 million federal employees, ranging from air traffic controllers to national park staff, are either working without pay or facing mandatory leave due to the US Congress’s failure to finalize a federal funding budget. Unions have expressed concern over the situation, with many employees experiencing stress-related illnesses or taking on secondary jobs to make ends meet.
Gradual flight reductions anticipated
The FAA’s chief, Bryan Bedford, expressed that the planned flight reductions are highly unusual, reflecting the extraordinary nature of the current shutdown, which has now become the longest in US history. The reductions will be rolled out progressively, beginning with a 4% decrease in domestic flights on Friday, escalating to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and potentially reaching the full 10% in the following week.
Officials are expected to disclose the specific airports affected by this decision on Thursday. Reports from various US media outlets suggest that the list includes some of the busiest hubs in the nation, such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Denver International, Chicago O’Hare International, and Los Angeles International. This could lead to the cancellation of between 3,500 and 4,000 flights daily, although international flights are likely to remain unaffected.
Airlines respond to potential disruptions
During the briefing, Bedford noted the increasing pressures on the air traffic system and emphasized the importance of maintaining high safety standards. “We are seeing pressures build in a way that we don’t feel – if we allow it to go unchecked – will allow us to continue to tell the public that we operate the safest airline system in the world,” he stated.
American Airlines, the second-largest carrier in North America, has indicated it is waiting for further details from the FAA to assess which flights will be canceled but expects that “the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected.” Similarly, Southwest Airlines is evaluating how the flight reductions could impact its services and will inform customers as soon as possible. Delta Airlines has opted not to comment at this time, and inquiries have been made to other major US airlines for their responses.
Since the government shutdown took effect on October 1, numerous federal workers have faced disruptions. Many airports have already felt the impact, with some experiencing flight groundings for hours due to air traffic controllers calling in sick, while others have had to rely on controllers from other locations to manage air traffic.
Duffy had previously warned of potential flight cancellations, noting that half of the nation’s 30 major airports were grappling with staffing shortages. Nick Daniels, president of the labor union representing over 20,000 aviation workers, described the dire situation: “Air traffic controllers are texting ‘I don’t even have enough money to put gas in my car to come to work.’” He emphasized the current lack of predictability, a critical factor in air traffic operations.
As the situation unfolds, a controller expressed concerns to NPR, suggesting that the conditions could reach a “tipping point” for many workers. Another controller mentioned that if staff members are ill or absent and their responsibilities must be covered, it compromises safety margins. The stress of the shutdown has led some controllers to seek additional employment, with one working for a food delivery service while managing air traffic duties.
Duffy previously highlighted the risks associated with controllers taking on extra jobs during the shutdown, warning of possible disciplinary actions for those who fail to report for duty. “They have to make a decision, do I go to work and not get a paycheque and not put food on the table? Or do I drive for Uber or DoorDash or wait tables?” he remarked.