U.S. to Cut Air Traffic by 10% at Major Airports Due to Government Shutdown
Photo Credit: Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport Port Authority of New York and New Jersey / PANYNJ
Skift Take
With no clear end to the government shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — the FAA said it is trying to ease pressure on air traffic controllers, who are expected to miss a second paycheck next week.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it would reduce air traffic volume across the 40 busiest U.S. airports by 10% starting Friday to maintain air safety during the government shutdown.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency would be meeting with the airline industry leaders later on Wednesday to discuss the cuts. He said the agency would release which markets will be affected on Thursday.
“We're going to ask the airlines to work with us collaboratively to reduce their schedules pro rata through the day,” Bedford said at a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. “So we're going to look for a ratable reduction across these 40 markets over the next 48 hours.”
The reduction is significant and could result in thousands of flight cuts as millions are set to travel during the hol
