US Cancels Flights Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday it will cut air traffic by 10% across 40 major aviation markets starting Friday morning to maintain safety standards during the ongoing government shutdown. The move will affect thousands of flights nationwide as air traffic controllers continue working without pay, leading to widespread absences and delays.

The FAA has been dealing with a shortage of air traffic controllers since the shutdown began October 1st. Many controllers have been calling in sick, creating delays across the country. The agency decided to act before the situation gets worse.

"We can't ignore this," said FAA Administrator Brian Bedford. He explained that early indicators show they need to move now to prevent the situation from getting out of hand. The agency won't wait for a crisis to happen before taking action.

Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will meet with airline executives Wednesday afternoon to figure out how to implement the flight cuts safely and in an organized way. But they refused to say which airports or routes will be affected until airlines get official notice first. The list of affected areas will be published Thursday.

This creates a tough spot for airlines and passengers. Airlines will have to cancel flights and rebook travelers, likely causing more delays and higher ticket prices on remaining flights. Business travelers and vacation plans will face disruptions just as many people start making holiday travel arrangements.

The broader economic impact could be significant. Air travel delays and cancellations ripple through the economy, affecting everything from business meetings to cargo shipments. Airlines may also face financial losses from cancelled flights and passenger compensation.

Bedford warned this might not be the end of it. "If pressures continue to increase even after taking these measures, we'll come back and take additional steps," he said. The comment suggests the 10% cut could be just the beginning if the government shutdown drags on and more air traffic controllers stop showing up to work.