FAA Preps To Curb 10% of Air Traffic at Busy Airports

In line with his warnings this week about delays and potential airspace closures during the ongoing government shutdown, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy yesterday said the FAA will curb operations by 10% at 40 busy airports. Delays are anticipated to begin tomorrow and ramp up to 10% in the coming days. This is part of a multifaceted approach the agency is taking to grapple with rolling air traffic controller shortages that officials say have been occurring throughout the system since the U.S. government shutdown began on October 1, Duffy said.

In a press briefing, he stressed that the curbs are data-based. “This is not based on what airline has more flights out of what location. This is about where is the pressure and how do we alleviate the pressure,” he said. “Our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible.”

Acknowledging the suggestion that the administration is using the ATC system as leverage in the ongoing budget stalemate on Capitol Hill, Duffy tweeted on X today: “Let me be clear: this isn’t about ‘leverage’—it’s about the safety of the flying public. This data-based decision is designed to alleviate pressure on our air traffic controllers required to keep the skies safe.”

Meanwhile, taking a data-based approach received backing from NTSB Chair Jennifer Hommendy, who tweeted, “Conducting safety risk assessments and then using data to mitigate that risk is exactly what @USDOT and @FAANews should be doing to proactively ensure safety for the traveling public. Great work.” 

Homendy pointed out that the NTSB has long stated that the low staffing levels, mandatory overtime, and six-day work week directly impact safety. "Pressures are building on the system."

Fellow NTSB member Michael Graham added, "I am glad to see FAA following their established processes of proactively monitoring data and taking action to maintain the safety of the NAS."

Amid these decisions, the broad-based industry Modern Skies Coalition issued a joint statement urging Congress to reopen the government. “The aviation community stands united in calling on Congress to end the shutdown without delay. This prolonged shutdown has strained the aviation system and its dedicated workforce to unacceptable levels of stress and disruption,” the statement said. “The American flying public deserves nothing less than a fully operational aviation system. It’s time for Congress to act decisively.”