Major Airports Face 10% Flight Capacity Cuts Amidst US Government Shutdown
The ongoing US government shutdown has compelled the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enforce unprecedented flight capacity reductions at 40 major airports nationwide. The cuts, which began at 4% this weekend, are expected to escalate to a staggering 10% by November 14, 2025.
These reductions are a direct consequence of air traffic controller shortages, triggered by the record-long government shutdown. This situation has already led to over 5,000 delayed flights and 1,100 cancellations. In a recent announcement, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that restrictions are also being imposed on private jets, diverting them to smaller airports to allow controllers to prioritize commercial aviation.
Air traffic control tower facing staff shortages due to the government shutdown.
“Air travel’s number one priority is safety. While safety will be maintained, travelers will bear a heavy and completely unnecessary burden in terms of delays, cancellations, and a loss of confidence in the air travel experience,” stated Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO. The travel industry estimates that the shutdown is draining approximately $1 billion per week from America’s travel economy.
As a result of these disruptions, rental car companies have reported a significant surge in one-way reservations. Many travelers are seeking alternatives or cancelling flights altogether, anticipating that these widespread disruptions will persist through the Thanksgiving travel period.
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