FAA Plans Flight Reductions Amid Government Shutdown
On November 7, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced measures to maintain safety in the national airspace during the ongoing government shutdown. The FAA will temporarily reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports across the United States by November 14.
Reasons for Flight Reductions
Since the shutdown began, air traffic controllers have been working without pay, leading to increased staffing shortages at various facilities nationwide. This has caused mounting pressure on the system, with pilots and controllers reporting increased strain. Over the past weekend alone, airports experienced 2,740 flight delays.
Officials' Statements on Safety
“My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This isn’t about politics – it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
“It’s safe to fly today, and it will continue to be safe to fly next week because of the proactive actions we are taking,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
Bedford added, “We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely.”
Impact and Safety Focus
- Temporary cut of up to 10% in flights at 40 busy airports.
- Measures aim to reduce risk due to staffing shortages.
- Authorities emphasize safety as the top priority over political issues.
- Flight reductions are preemptive to maintain the system's integrity.
These steps reflect the FAA's commitment to preserving the highest safety standards despite operational challenges posed by the shutdown.
Summary
The FAA's temporary flight reductions at major airports during the government shutdown prioritize safety amid staffing challenges and rising system strain on controllers and pilots.
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