U.S. to Reduce Airline Traffic by 10% Due to Shutdown, Says Trump Transportation Chief
Federal Government to Reduce Airline Traffic Amid Ongoing Shutdown
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced a 10% reduction in airline traffic at 40 locations, set to begin on Friday if the government shutdown continues.
Details on Traffic Reductions
While Duffy did not disclose the specific airports affected by this reduction, the announcement follows his earlier warnings about potential airspace closures due to the prolonged shutdown, which has now reached a record-breaking 36 days.
Safety Concerns Amid Staffing Shortages
Bedford stated that, although air traffic is currently safe, there are increasing concerns regarding fatigue among flight controllers. He emphasized, “As we analyze the data more closely, we see pressures building that could jeopardize our claim of having the safest airline system globally.”
Impact on Air Traffic Controllers
Duffy expressed empathy for air traffic controllers, many of whom are heads of households facing serious financial struggles due to income loss. He noted, “When they lose income, they are confronted with real-world difficulties in paying their bills.”
Government’s Response to the Crisis
The announced 10% reductions aim to alleviate some of the pressure on air traffic controllers who have continued to work without pay throughout the shutdown. To further support staffing levels, Duffy mentioned that the FAA is offering cash bonuses to retain retiring controllers and is increasing recruitment efforts to address the shortage.
Implementation Challenges
Bedford indicated that the FAA plans to consult with airline representatives to ensure smooth implementation of the traffic reductions. However, he did not provide specifics on how to avoid disproportionately affecting certain routes or airlines, especially given that the agency normally manages over 44,000 flights and 3 million passengers daily.
Historical Context of the Shutdown
In a rare occurrence for the aviation sector, Bedford noted, “In my 35 years in the aviation market, I’m not aware of a situation where we’re implementing these kinds of measures. We’re truly in uncharted territory concerning government shutdowns.”
The shutdown, initiated on October 1, has left an estimated shortage of 3,000 air traffic controllers, with at least 11,000 essential workers receiving no wages despite their ongoing efforts. Duffy explained that the controllers received a partial paycheck at the start of the shutdown, but faced “a big fat zero” in compensation two weeks ago, with no change expected soon.
