FAA Announces Significant Reductions in Flight Operations at Top 40 US Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently announced a major reduction in flight operations at 40 of the busiest airports in the United States. This change, which is set to commence on November 7, 2025, is a direct result of the ongoing government shutdown leading to a severe shortage of air traffic controllers.
Starting with a 4% reduction on Friday, the cutbacks will gradually escalate to 10% by November 14. This will significantly impact major hubs such as Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, Dallas, New York City, and Los Angeles airports.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that this phased approach is a necessary measure to alleviate the stress on unpaid controllers. These individuals have been working without compensation since the onset of the shutdown.
Airlines are now in a scramble to adjust their schedules in light of these changes. It is estimated that around 2,500 daily flights could potentially be cancelled, affecting approximately 250,000 passengers on a daily basis.
The FAA, however, emphasized that safety remains their top priority. They are implementing data-driven performance metrics to adjust the reductions as necessary. This situation marks one of the most significant operational disruptions to US aviation in recent years.
Source: CBS News