America’s skies are shrinking as the shutdown crisis forces airports to slash thousands of flights, unpaid workers warn of burnout, and the FAA admits the system is now too fragile to run at full capacity.
Air travel across the United States is facing widespread disruption as the ongoing government shutdown forces the reduction of thousands of domestic flights. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that up to 10 percent of flights will be cut across 40 major airports, including those in Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. The Federal Aviation Administration said the decision was made following reports of fatigue among air traffic controllers who have been working without pay since the shutdown began. More than 1.4 million federal workers are either on unpaid leave or working without salaries due to Congress failing to reach a funding agreement. Duffy emphasized that safety remains the top priority, saying the reductions are necessary to reduce risk in an increasingly strained system.
The FAA confirmed that the flight cuts will be phased in gradually, beginning with a 4 percent reduction in domestic flights and increasing to 10 percent by 14 November. The move could cancel between 3,500 and 4,000 flights per day, though international routes are expected to remain unaffected. FAA chief Bryan Bedford described the situation as unprecedented, noting that the prolonged shutdown has made normal operations impossible. American Airlines said it is awaiting further instructions from the FAA but expects most passengers to travel as planned, while Delta Air Lines is allowing customers to change or cancel flights without penalties. Frontier Airlines advised travelers to consider booking with other carriers as a precaution.
Union leaders say aviation workers are suffering immense stress and financial strain as they continue to work without pay. Many are taking second jobs or struggling to afford fuel to reach work. Some air traffic controllers have described sleepless nights and growing anxiety over how long the shutdown will last. With no resolution in sight, concerns are mounting that the shutdown could lead to further instability across the nation’s air travel system.
