Trump Admin to Cut 10 Percent of Flights Amid Shutdown as Holidays Loom

The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that flight traffic will be reduced by 10 percent in 40 of the nation’s markets as the busy Thanksgiving holiday approaches. This decision comes amid the ongoing government shutdown, now entering its second month, which has exacerbated air traffic controller staffing shortages and led to an increasing number of flight delays across the country.

Controllers, like Transportation Security Administration employees, are essential workers who are required to work during federal shutdowns without pay. “Our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy at a news conference on Wednesday. He emphasized that the reductions were data-based, noting, “This is not based on, ‘What airline travels has more flights out of what location?’”

Duffy also warned that passengers may experience flight delays or cancellations but stressed that the priority remains getting passengers to their destinations safely.

“We are starting to see some evidence that fatigue is building in the system in ways that we feel we need to work towards relieving some of that pressure,” said Bedford.

In recent interviews with NPR, four current air traffic controllers—who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from the FAA—shared concerns about the worsening situation. They reported that staffing shortages existed even before the shutdown. Along with mandatory overtime and stagnant wages, these issues have led to low morale, which has further declined as they face another missed paycheck next week.

One controller who manages traffic around a major airport explained, “It does degrade that margin of safety if a bunch of people are sick and not at work and I’m having to do their jobs along with my own.”

As the holiday season approaches, these challenges highlight the increasing pressures on the nation’s air traffic control system and the critical need to maintain safety despite operational constraints.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/government-shutdown-flights-cut-holidays-1235460583/

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