FAA orders 10% cut to U.S. flights as controller shortage deepens during shutdown

November 07, 2025 (MLN): Air travelers across the United States are facing widespread cancellations after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instructed airlines to scale back flight operations by 10% at the nation’s 40 busiest airports.

The emergency move, on Thursday, comes amid a growing shortage of air traffic controllers who have been working without pay during the record-length government shutdown.

More than 790 flights were cancelled on Friday over four times the number scrubbed on Thursday  with nearly 500 flights already dropped from Saturday’s schedule.

Officials warn that the disruptions are likely to worsen if the shutdown continues.

The FAA said the reduction is a precautionary measure to prevent safety risks as fatigue and stress among unpaid controllers rise.

“The system has been under increasing strain,” the agency noted, citing nearly 2,750 delays reported last weekend.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that the decision was based on safety concerns, not politics. “Our responsibility is to protect passengers and crews,” he said. “We’re taking steps now to ease the mounting risk as this shutdown drags on. Air travel remains safe because of these proactive measures.”

Airlines have been told that international flights may continue at their discretion, but domestic operations are expected to follow the FAA’s directive. Major airports affected include Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, and New York’s JFK.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said additional restrictions could be introduced if staffing issues persist.

The headline increased pressure on Congress, where Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over a spending bill that would reopen government agencies. Roughly 14,000 air traffic controllers are among the 730,000 essential federal employees currently working without pay, while another 670,000 workers have been furloughed, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

With the shutdown stretching into its 38th day, the timing of the flight cuts threatens to disrupt one of the busiest travel periods of the year, intensifying frustration among both travelers and industry officials.

Copyright Mettis Link News