The ongoing US government shutdown is poised to directly impact thousands of air travellers, as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Wednesday.
In the latest update, a 10% reduction in flights will be implemented at 40 major airports starting Friday morning if the impasse is not resolved.
The decision, officials said, is a direct result of the mounting strain on the nation’s air traffic control system, where essential employees have been working without pay for over a month, leading to critical issues with fatigue and staffing.
A system under unprecedented strain
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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Bryan Bedford stated that the flight reductions are a necessary step to maintain safety in the face of an “unusual” situation.
He confirmed that air traffic controllers have been reporting problems with fatigue as the shutdown, now the longest in US history, continues.
“We are seeing pressures build in a way that we don’t feel – if we allow it to go unchecked – will allow us to continue to tell the public that we operate the safest airline system in the world,” Bedford said at a briefing.
While affirming that air travel remains safe, he warned that “additional restrictive measures may be required” if the shutdown persists.
What travelers can expect
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The flight reductions will be rolled out gradually to minimize immediate disruption.
An initial 4% cut to domestic flights will begin on Friday, rising to 5% on Saturday and 6% on Sunday, before reaching the full 10% reduction next week, according to Reuters.
The FAA plans to release the names of the 40 high-traffic airports on Thursday. The cancellations could affect between 3,500 and 4,000 flights per day once fully implemented.
The human cost of the shutdown
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The crisis stems from the fact that while most federal workers were sent home during the shutdown, those deemed essential, like air traffic controllers, have had to continue working without a paycheck.
This has forced some to call out sick or take on side jobs to make ends meet.
Nick Daniels, president of the labor union representing over 20,000 aviation workers, highlighted the dire situation for his members.
“Air traffic controllers are texting ‘I don’t even have enough money to put gas in my car to come to work,’” he told CNN on Wednesday.
Duffy had previously acknowledged this dilemma, telling ABC,
They have to make a decision, do I go to work and not get a paycheque and not put food on the table? Or do I drive for Uber or DoorDash or wait tables?
Airlines react as pressure mounts on Washington
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Airlines are now scrambling to adjust their schedules. In a statement, American Airlines said it was awaiting more information but that “we expect the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected.”
Southwest Airlines said it was evaluating the impact and urged lawmakers to end the stalemate.
“We continue to urge Congress to immediately resolve its impasse and restore the National Airspace System to its full capacity,” a spokesperson said.
