Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a planned reduction of 10% in air travel capacity at 40 major U.S. airports, effective from Friday, due to the ongoing government shutdown. This decision was influenced by increasing fatigue-related issues reported by air traffic controllers, as stated by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Chief Bryan Bedford during a briefing.
The current shutdown has left approximately 1.4 million federal employees, including air traffic controllers, working without compensation, leading to concerns about workforce stress and health. Unions have noted that many staff members are experiencing illnesses related to job stress or are compelled to seek secondary employment due to financial pressures.
The implementation of flight reductions will take place gradually, initially affecting 4% of domestic flights on Friday, with increments to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and reaching the full reduction of 10% the following week. The list of the affected high-traffic airports is expected to be released soon. These cancellations could result in the loss of between 3,500 and 4,000 flights daily.
Officials emphasized that the reduction aims to maintain safety standards in air travel, given the mounting pressures within the air traffic control system. Should the government shutdown persist, further restrictive measures might be necessary to ensure safety.
American Airlines has indicated it is awaiting guidance from the FAA to understand which flights will be impacted but expects the majority of its operations to remain unaffected. Southwest Airlines is also reviewing the situation and plans to inform customers promptly. Delta Airlines has chosen not to comment on the matter.
Since the government shutdown began on October 1, several airports have reported disruptions, including prolonged flight delays due to air traffic controllers calling in sick and requiring support from other airports. The situation underscores the critical role that stability and predictability play in air travel operations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2kp8dex14xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss