In a significant development, U.S. airlines have been ordered to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets due to staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown. This decision by federal officials is expected to lead to the cancellation of thousands of flights, impacting both travelers and the aviation industry as a whole.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this move, stating that airlines will be required to cut at least 4% of flights to 40 airports starting Friday, with the reduction potentially reaching 10% by next week. This could result in the cancellation of between 2,000 and 4,000 flights daily, causing widespread disruptions for passengers across the country.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking this step as a response to the prolonged government shutdown, which has entered its record-breaking 37th day. The shutdown has led to a shortage of air traffic controllers and other essential personnel, creating operational challenges for airlines and airports nationwide.
President Trump has partially attributed the recent losses suffered by Republicans in the 2025 elections to the government shutdown, acknowledging that it had a negative impact on the party’s performance. Democrats, on the other hand, have been gaining confidence in their strategy as they push for a resolution to the shutdown that includes an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
As the situation continues to unfold, the aviation industry, travelers, and government officials are closely monitoring the impact of the flight reductions and seeking a resolution to the shutdown to restore normal operations.
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References:
1. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/us-airlines-ordered-to-slash-thousands-of-flights-due-to-shutdown/
2. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/faa-set-to-cut-thousands-of-flights-government-shutdown/
3. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/trump-government-shutdown-gop-election-losses/
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