The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on November 5, 2025, it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 high-volume airport markets beginning on Friday, November 7, as the federal government shutdown drags on and staffing shortages worsen.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the measure, saying the move is intended to prevent further strain on the nation’s air traffic control system as thousands of essential employees continue working without pay.
“We have decided that a 10 percent reduction in scheduled capacity would be appropriate to continue to take the pressure off our controllers,” Bedford said at a press briefing.
The FAA manages more than 44,000 flights a day, including commercial passenger, cargo, and private aircraft. The reduction will affect thousands of operations, though the agency has not yet identified which airports will be impacted. Officials said they are consulting with airline executives and plan to release a list of affected cities soon.
The cutback comes amid the longest-ever US government shutdown, now in its 36th day. Controllers and other FAA personnel have worked without pay since October 1, leading to rising fatigue, absences, and mounting safety concerns.
“We can’t ignore it,” Bedford said, adding that the system is operating with staffing margins “that no longer apply.”
Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, the FAA may be forced to take more drastic steps. “You will see mass flight delays, you’ll see mass cancellations,” he told reporters.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said that nearly half of the nation’s 30 busiest airports are experiencing shortfalls, with delays averaging an hour or more. Some controllers have reportedly called in sick or taken second jobs to cover household bills.
Industry groups and airlines have urged Congress to end the shutdown, noting that the controller shortage pre-dated the current funding lapse but has now pushed the system toward instability.
The FAA said that if the 10% reduction proves insufficient to stabilize operations, further restrictions may follow. “If the pressures continue to build even after we take these measures, we’ll come back and take additional measures,” Bedford said.
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