FAA Warns of 10% Flight Cuts at 40 High-Traffic Airports if Government Remains Shut

The US Federal Aviation Administration plans to cut 10 percent of flights in 40 high-traffic airports on Friday morning if Congress fails to reopen the federal government by then, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Chief Bryan Bedford said Wednesday. The announcement came days after the US agency said it faced widespread shortages of air traffic controllers in half of the country's 30 busiest airports and hours-long security lines caused by absences of Transportation Security Administration agents. Federal workers have now gone 35 days without a paycheck amid the longest government shutdown in US history. According to Duffy, the decision to cut flights is data-based and aimed at alleviating pressure on the system. "This is based on where is the pressure and how do we alleviate the pressure," Duffy said. "When passengers fly, they are going to make it to their destinations safely, because we've done our work." The FAA did not immediately respond to WIRED's questions, and it is unclear whether the flight cut will affect only commercial airlines or cargo and private flights as well. The 40 airports that may see reduced flights are not specified, but Duffy said the decision is based on data and aimed at minimizing disruptions. "We've looked at the data, and we've identified the airports that are going to be most impacted," Duffy said. "We're going to take a 10 percent reduction in scheduled commercial flights at those airports." The FAA's decision to cut flights is a response to the ongoing government shutdown, which has left the agency with a shortage of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents. The shutdown has also led to a backlog of work for federal employees, who have gone 35 days without a paycheck. The longest government shutdown in US history has had far-reaching consequences, including delays and cancellations of flights, as well as disruptions to other government services. The decision to cut flights has raised concerns among travelers and airlines, who are worried about the impact on their schedules and travel plans. "This is a last resort, and we're hoping that Congress will come to an agreement soon," said a spokesperson for the Airlines for America trade association. "We understand the need to alleviate pressure on the system, but we're concerned about the impact on our customers and our operations." The current status of the government shutdown and the FAA's plans to cut flights remains uncertain. Congress is set to reconvene on Thursday, and lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations on a spending bill. The FAA has said that it will continue to monitor the situation and adjust its plans accordingly. In the meantime, travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information on flight schedules and cancellations.