Post by : Rameen Ariff

The United States will cut 10% of scheduled flights at 40 major airports beginning Friday as the federal shutdown reaches its 36th day, putting severe pressure on the country’s aviation network and stranding many travelers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the measure Wednesday, pointing to acute shortages of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration staff who have been working without pay since October 1.

"This is not a step we take lightly," Duffy said. "But dwindling resources and mounting fatigue among essential workers required difficult choices to preserve safety in the air and on the ground."

Air Traffic Chaos Looms

The shutdown, now the longest in modern US history, has already led to widespread delays and cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration reports roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents remain on duty without pay, eroding morale and increasing absences.

Aviation data firm Cirium estimates the reductions could impact more than 1,800 flights and about 268,000 passenger seats each day. The hardest-hit hubs include New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Dallas — the nation’s busiest airports.

The FAA warned that further constraints may be necessary if staffing levels continue to decline, potentially grounding additional services.

Airlines React to Flight Reduction

Major carriers such as Delta, United, American and Southwest said they are assessing the government’s directive and preparing contingency plans to limit disruption for travelers.

"We are coordinating closely with federal authorities to gauge the scope of these cuts and will work to reduce passenger impact," said a spokesperson for Airlines for America, the industry trade group.

Analysts cautioned that sustained flight reductions could cost airlines millions in lost revenue. Shares of leading carriers slipped about 1% in after-hours trading following the announcement.

Political Deadlock Deepens

The shutdown stems from a budget standoff in Congress. Lawmakers remain divided over a spending package, with Democrats refusing to endorse a plan that omits health insurance subsidies and Republicans, supported by President Donald Trump, pressing to emphasize the disruptions caused by the closure.

The impasse has left some 750,000 federal workers furloughed and left millions of low-income Americans without critical services such as food assistance.

Aviation Safety at Risk

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that between 20% and 40% of controllers at the busiest airports have stopped reporting for duty because of financial hardship. "The system is under immense stress," he warned.

Duffy added that if the shutdown persists, it could produce "mass chaos" in the skies and force the temporary closure of parts of national airspace. The Department of Transportation also confirmed that space launches will be restricted to set hours to ease the burden on control staff.

Passengers Left in Limbo

Industry estimates put the number of passengers affected by cancellations and delays during the shutdown at more than 3.2 million. Travelers nationwide have experienced long security queues, missed connections and abrupt schedule changes.

Despite reassurances from airlines, experts warn prolonged disruption could dent consumer confidence and hurt holiday travel bookings if the shutdown continues into winter.

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