FAA to Reduce Flight Operations Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

Thu Nov 06 2025 16:45:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The FAA reveals a substantial reduction in flight operations as the government shutdown continues, affecting thousands of passengers and raising concerns about air travel safety. The decision aims to manage staffing shortages and maintain safe airspace.

As the government shutdown enters its second month, the FAA announces it will reduce flights by 10% in key markets to address staffing shortages caused by the ongoing crisis. This unprecedented measure is expected to lead to hundreds of cancellations and significantly impact travel plans for many. Officials emphasize the need for improved staffing before normal operations can resume, with air traffic controllers facing financial hardships due to unpaid labor during the shutdown.

Travelers passing through major U.S. airports will find out Thursday whether they'll face reduced flight options as the government shutdown moves into its second month. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to announce 40 high-volume markets where flight schedules will be cut by 10% starting Friday, as initiated by FAA administrator Bryan Bedford. This intervention is meant to ensure safety in airspace management during a time when operational capabilities are strained due to staffing shortages.

Experts warn that the shutdown could lead to hundreds or even thousands of flight cancellations, affecting around 268,000 passenger seats, per estimates from aviation analytics firm Cirium. In my 35 years in aviation, I've never seen measures like these implemented due to a government shutdown, Bedford stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

With air traffic controllers working unpaid since the closure began on October 1, many are forced to take on mandatory overtime while juggling financial strains. This has prompted the FAA to take action, stressing that operations cannot be returned to normal until staffing levels are stabilized.

Bedford, alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, declined to specify which cities would be affected until after discussions with airline leaders. Key stakeholders in the aviation sector are calling on Congress to resolve the shutdown, warning that continued disruptions could significantly damage the reliability and safety of U.S. air travel.

The situation is dire; Duffy indicated that should the shutdown persist, chaos in air traffic could ensue if controllers miss their second paycheck next week.

During recent weekends, reports surfaced of multiple air traffic control facilities reaching staffing limits, amplifying concerns that this would translate into significant operational challenges across the nation’s airports.