Trump Administration Plans Air Traffic Reductions Amid Shutdown
The Trump administration is taking steps to decrease air traffic at major airports as the federal government shutdown continues, adding pressure on federal employees.
According to an emergency order from the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will implement a phased reduction starting Friday, cutting traffic by 4%, increasing to 6% by Tuesday, 8% by November 13, and hitting a maximum of 10% by November 14. This move comes as air traffic controllers and other federal workers operate without pay.
DOT Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that safety is the primary concern. “This is not about politics; it’s about analyzing data and addressing the risks that arise while employees work without pay,” he stated. Duffy reassured the public by noting that, “We are safe to fly today, and because of our preventive measures, we will remain safe next week.”
In addition to cutting flights, the FAA will limit commercial space launches to off-peak hours and ban parachuting and photography around certain facilities. While airlines must offer full refunds to affected customers, they aren’t obligated to cover additional costs.
The emergency order permits airlines to manage international flights at their discretion when making cuts to meet the overall reduction targets. Duffy highlighted that many air traffic controllers have been relying on second jobs amidst the ongoing pay issues, pointing out that 40 major U.S. airports will need to lower traffic by 10% to alleviate stress on unpaid workers.
“We’re seeing signs of strain within the system; therefore, we are reducing flights to ensure safe travel for Americans,” Federal Aviation Secretary Brian Bedford remarked. He added that the FAA would closely monitor the situation and would take further action if necessary.
The standoff between Democrats and Republicans regarding federal funding remains unresolved, primarily revolving around health care issues and immigration concerns related to Obamacare. As the shutdown reached its 36th day, it has officially become the longest in U.S. history, with air traffic controllers going without pay since October 1.
Aviation analysts estimate the cuts could require up to 1,800 flights to be canceled, affecting approximately 268,000 seats.
The airports affected by the reduced flights include:
- ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
- ATL – Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
- BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport
- CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
- DAL – Dallas Love Field
- DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- DEN – Denver International Airport
- DFW – Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
- DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport
- FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
- HNL – Honolulu International Airport
- HOU – William P. Hobby Airport
- IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport
- IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport
- IND – Indianapolis International Airport
- JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
- LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
- LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
- LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport
- MCO – Orlando International Airport
- MDW – Chicago Midway International Airport
- MEM – Memphis International Airport
- MIA – Miami International Airport
- MSP – Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
- OAK – Oakland International Airport
- ONT – Ontario International Airport
- ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- PDX – Portland International Airport
- PHL – Philadelphia International Airport
- PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- SAN – San Diego International Airport
- SDF – Louisville International Airport
- SEA – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- SFO – San Francisco International Airport
- SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport
- TEB – Teterboro Airport
- TPA – Tampa International Airport
