FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS IMMINENT: Air Traffic To Be Slashed By 10% This Week Due To Government Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Wednesday that air traffic will be slashed by 10% in 40 “high-volume” markets beginning on Friday due to the air traffic controller shortages brought on by the record-breaking government shutdown.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a press conference alongside FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford that the FAA is taking “proactive” steps to “keep the airspace safe” as the government shutdown moves into its 37th day.

“In the end, our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible,” Duffy said. “There is going to be a 10% reduction in capacity at 40 of our locations,” he added.

???? BREAKING: @SecDuffy announces a 10% reduction in scheduled flight capacity at the nation’s top 40 high-traffic markets due to the Democrat Shutdown’s strain on air traffic controllers. pic.twitter.com/g6yJygA96W

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 5, 2025

The air traffic reduction comes just weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday, which is typically the busiest travel weekend of the year in the United States. Bedford said the administration would share more information on the 40 markets affected by the 10% reduction at a later time.

The Transportation Secretary said that the decision is “data-based” and focused on areas where air traffic controllers are feeling the most pressure. Duffy did not say where the disruptions should be expected, adding that he and Bedford are set to meet with airline leaders later on Wednesday to discuss the flight reduction.

“Our primary mission at the FAA is to manage airspace in the safest manner possible,” said Bedford. “That is our only focus.”

Bedford added that flight controllers are experiencing increased fatigue as fewer controllers show up to work. As the government shutdown drags on, air traffic controllers have gone weeks without pay, causing some controllers to call in sick so they can seek work elsewhere.

“We do recognize that the controllers have been working fastidiously for the last five weeks with this huge burden over their heads [from] lack of compensation,” Bedford said. “We are starting to see some evidence that fatigue is starting to build in the system in ways we feel we need to work toward relieving some of that pressure.”

Republicans continue to push Democrats to agree to a short-term bill that would immediately fund the government, while negotiations could continue on a larger piece of legislation. Democrats have refused to pass the GOP’s short-term spending plan for five weeks.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Donald Trump urged Republican senators in a White House meeting to terminate the filibuster “this afternoon,” so the party could reopen the government and pass some of the administration’s priorities.

“I think it’s very important. We have to get the country open, and the way we’re going to do it this afternoon is to terminate the filibuster,” he said. “And it’s possible you’re not going to do that, and I’m going to go by your wishes. You’re smart people. We’re good friends, but it would be a tremendous mistake, it would be a tragic mistake, actually. It’s time.”

GOP Senate leaders appear to be unmoved by Trump’s request to end the filibuster.