FAA, DOT Announce Temporary Flight Reductions Amid Shutdown Staffing Concerns

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it will temporarily reduce flight capacity by up to 10 percent at 40 major airports nationwide beginning Friday morning.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the move during a Wednesday press conference, citing safety and staffing concerns linked to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The reductions will start at around four percent and gradually reach 10 percent, primarily affecting domestic flights between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. International routes will not be impacted.

The list of affected airports includes major travel hubs such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Boston Logan, Chicago O’Hare, and all three New York City–area airports, along with Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport. The agency said the measure is intended to ease pressure on the national airspace system while maintaining safety standards.

According to the FAA, the cuts are based on data showing increased operational strain at high-volume airports. “We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself,” Bedford said, adding that the reduction is a preventive measure rather than a response to any incidents.

Transportation Secretary Duffy echoed that the decision is “proactive,” emphasizing that safety remains the top priority as the department manages limited resources. Duffy warned earlier this week that if the shutdown persists, portions of U.S. airspace could face temporary closures.

United Airlines confirmed that long-haul international and hub-to-hub flights will not be affected. The airline said customers whose domestic flights are canceled will be eligible for refunds, even for basic economy or non-refundable tickets, and will receive updates via app notifications and email.

The FAA said the adjustment is temporary and will apply proportionally across all airlines. It expects to finalize the full list of airports and the implementation order by Thursday.

Original source: ABC News