Today's News: Citing Government Shutdown’s Impact, Administration Reduces Air Traffic at 40 Airports
This unprecedented move aims to alleviate pressure on the system and ensure safety, but is expected to cause significant flight delays and cancellations, impacting commercial and other air operations.
Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post
Overview
Date: November 5, 2025
Summary: The Trump administration announced a 10% reduction in air traffic at 40 major U.S. airports, effective Friday, due to staffing shortages among unpaid air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown. This unprecedented move aims to alleviate pressure on the system and ensure safety, but is expected to cause significant flight delays and cancellations, impacting commercial and other air operations. The shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, has also affected other federal services, including food assistance programs and federal worker layoffs, leading to widespread frustration and political blame-shifting between Republicans and Democrats.
Sources
NBC News - The FAA is set to start cutting flights to contend with delays and staffing shortages
The Washington Post - FAA orders 10% cut in flights at several airports as shutdown drags on
The Wall Street Journal - U.S. to Reduce Flight Traffic by 10% at 40 Airports Because of Shutdown
Fox Business - Duffy announces airspace restrictions amid record government shutdown
Key Points
The Federal Aviation Administration will implement a 10% reduction in air traffic capacity at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, starting Friday.
This decision is a direct response to staffing shortages and increased pressure on air traffic controllers, who are working without pay during the government shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated the cuts are a proactive measure to maintain airspace safety and alleviate strain on the system.
The reductions are expected to cause thousands of flight delays and cancellations, affecting commercial travel, space launches, and small aircraft operations.
Airlines have been notified and asked to collaborate with the FAA to adjust their schedules.
The government shutdown has surpassed 35 days, making it the longest in U.S. history, leading to significant impacts on federal workers and public services.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times reports that Cirium, an aviation data firm, estimated the cuts could result in 1,800 canceled flights on Friday alone and that 3,000 vacancies existed among the 14,000 air traffic controller positions before the shutdown.
CNN notes that more than 400 staffing shortages have been reported at FAA facilities since the start of the shutdown, which is over four times the number seen on the same days last year. It also states that controllers are taking second jobs or calling in sick in protest.
NBC News provides specific figures for recent disruptions, reporting over 5,000 flights were delayed on Sunday alone, and 2,885 delays with 70 cancellations occurred on Monday evening. It identifies Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as particularly hard-hit.
The Washington Post highlights the unprecedented nature of these flight reductions and their potential impact on cargo operations. It also cites Cirium’s estimate that a 10% cut at Chicago O’Hare International Airport could mean 121 fewer flights or more than 14,500 fewer seats a day. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford indicated that an examination of data, including voluntary safety disclosure reports from pilots, highlighted concerns about fatigue among air traffic controllers.
The Wall Street Journal reports that shares of major airlines declined in after-hours trading following the announcement. It mentions a letter signed by nearly 500 companies and groups earlier in the week calling on Congress to pass a spending bill and warning of holiday travel chaos. The article also states that executives from several airlines met with Vice President JD Vance last week. It notes that more than 3.4 million passengers have been affected by delays and cancellations related to staffing shortages during the shutdown.
Fox Business reports that the cuts will impact roughly 4,000 flights nationwide. It specifies that 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay. The article also recalls Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s earlier warning on Monday that the Trump administration would shutter the U.S. aviation system entirely if it became too risky to travel. Duffy also highlighted that many unpaid workers are “head of household” facing “real-world difficulties” in paying bills.
Contrasting Details
The New York Times mentions that the decision to cut air traffic was driven by data, and that “interruptions have been comparatively benign since the start of the work week,” despite earlier delays. In contrast, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, while stating the system remains safe, explicitly cite FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford’s concern about “fatigue building in the system” based on voluntary safety disclosure reports from pilots, suggesting a more direct safety imperative.
While The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal cite Cirium’s estimate of “1,800 canceled flights on Friday alone,” Fox Business states that the overall cuts will impact “roughly 4,000 flights nationwide,” presenting a different scale for the anticipated impact.
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