Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned there will be a 10% reduction in air travel capacity at 40 major airports in the US starting Friday morning, if the government shutdown continues.
The decision was made because air traffic controllers have been reporting issues with fatigue, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said at a briefing with Duffy on Wednesday.
It is unusual, just as the shutdown is unusual, just as the fact that our controllers haven't been paid for a month is unusual, said FAA chief Bryan Bedford.
During the shutdown, now the longest in US history, controllers have had to keep working without pay, prompting some to call out sick or take side jobs.
The flight reductions will be gradual, starting at 4% of domestic flights on Friday, then rising to 5% on Saturday and 6% on Sunday, before reaching the full 10% next week.
The names of the affected airports will be released on Thursday, and the cancellations could impact between 3,500 and 4,000 flights daily. Duffy assured that air travel remains safe, with these measures necessary to maintain that safety and efficiency.
If the shutdown extends further, additional restrictions might be required, according to Bedford. Major airlines are currently assessing how these flight restrictions will impact their operations.
In light of the government shutdown, air traffic controllers have voiced their struggles, expressing concerns over financial difficulties as they attempt to balance work obligations with basic living expenses.
Duffy had previously warned that with half of the country's primary airports experiencing staff shortages, the potential for flight cancellations was imminent.
