The agency made the announcement as it faces a staffing shortage caused by unpaid air traffic controllers.
Published on November 5, 2025
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will reduce air traffic by 10 percent in 40 “high-volume” markets starting Friday morning to maintain safety. Government shutdownIt has been said.
The agency made the announcement Wednesday as air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay, some have been called off duty during the shutdown, facing a staffing shortage resulting in delay across the country.
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FAA Administrator Brian Bedford said the agency won’t wait for the problem to act, saying the shutdown is putting pressure on employees and “we can’t ignore that.”
Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they would meet with airline leaders later Wednesday to figure out how to safely implement the cuts.
Widespread delays
The shutdown, now in its 36th day, has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers to work without pay. This has led to staff shortages, flight delays and extended lines at airport security screening.
The move is aimed at reducing pressure on air traffic controllers. The FAA also warned that it could add more flight restrictions after Friday if further air traffic problems arise.
Duffy warned on Tuesday that if the federal government shutdown continues for another week, it could “A lot of confusion” and forced him to close some national airspace to air traffic, a drastic move that could disrupt American aviation.
Airlines have repeatedly called for an end to the shutdown, citing risks to aviation security.
Shares of major airlines, including United Airlines and American Airlines, were down about 1 percent in extended trading.
An airline industry group has estimated that more than 3.2 million passengers have been affected by flight delays or cancellations due to the absence of air traffic controllers since the shutdown began on October 1. Airlines are raising concerns with lawmakers about the impact on operations.
The airlines said their business was not significantly affected by the shutdown, but warned that bookings could drop if it goes ahead. More than 2,100 flights were delayed on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the FAA’s Bedford said 20 percent to 40 percent of controllers at the agency’s 30 largest airports failed to show up for work.
The federal government has largely shut down as Republicans and Democrats are locked in a deadlock in Congress over a funding bill. Democrats have insisted they won’t approve a plan that doesn’t increase health insurance subsidies, while Republicans have rejected it.