FAA Cuts Flight Capacity at 40 Major Airports Amid Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Wednesday it will reduce flight capacity by 10% at 40 major airports across the United States due to ongoing staffing shortages amidst the government shutdown. The decision, revealed in a press conference, could affect thousands of flights each day.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared that the restrictions will begin on Friday morning and will be implemented gradually, starting with a 4% reduction increasing to 10% by next week. Airports such as Atlanta‘s Hartsfield-Jackson, Boston Logan, and all three New York City-area airports are on the list for cuts.

The adjustments will affect scheduled flights between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., but international flights are exempt. A comprehensive list of affected airports is expected to be released by the FAA shortly.

“Our primary role is to ensure airspace safety. This reduction is based on operational pressures rather than light airline traffic locations,” Bedford said. He emphasized that the cuts were necessary to manage airspace safely during the shutdown.

Duffy noted that the action aims to reduce the risk in the national airspace and is based on data assessed by the department. He added that the agency is taking steps to prevent safety issues from escalating.

United Airlines announced it would not affect long-haul international flights or hub-to-hub operations. Furthermore, passengers seeking refunds on affected flights will have the opportunity to do so regardless of ticket terms.

The FAA’s decision marks an unprecedented action, one that Bedford said he has not witnessed in his 35 years of service. The agency plans to analyze various factors before finalizing the capacity cuts, including airlines that normally operate a less-than-daily service.

Airlines for America—a trade organization for major U.S. airlines—stated it is collaborating with the federal government to understand the reduction mandate and aims to lessen its impact on passengers.

As the capacity cuts are set to roll out, the FAA warns of potential, ongoing ground stops due to staffing issues starting with Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The situation remains fluid as the shutdown persists.