The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday will announce a list of 40 high-volume airports where it will reduce flights by 10% due to staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown.
The changes could affect some of the nation’s busiest airports, including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and around the District of Columbia.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that the pullback of service is necessary to cope with shortages of air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Service cuts could start as soon as Friday and could reach the full 10% mark by next week, said FAA Administrator Byran Bedford.
“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating,” Mr. Bedford said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“The system is extremely safe today and will be extremely safe tomorrow,” he said. “If the pressures continue to build even after we take these measures, we’ll come back and take additional measures.”
Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, with scores working six days per week with mandatory overtime. Absences among controllers have soared as the no-pay workweeks have dragged on, sparking travel disruptions across the country.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby released a letter this week saying the airline will work with the FAA to improve air safety during the shutdown, noting that every airline is reducing its schedule during this time.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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