“As we start to implement this drawdown in service. It will be restricted to these 40 high volume traffic markets. We’re going to ask the airlines to work with us collaboratively to reduce their schedules.” Source: Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator, commenting on measures being disacusssed to relieve ATC staffing issues. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced on October 5 that he ordered the FAA to begin reducing the number of commercial flights by 10% at 40 major airports around the country. Prompting the decision are concerns over air traffic safety as the government shutdown extends into a sixth week.