Flight Reductions Become Reality Amid Shutdown
Cuts to Expand to 10% by November 14
Flight reductions for both domestic and international routes in the United States have started to become a reality due to the federal government shutdown, which has resulted in a shortage of air traffic controllers at airports.
On November 7, Yonhap News reported that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had ordered a phased 10% reduction in flights at 40 major U.S. airports by November 14. Flights operating at these airports were reduced by 4% on this day, and will be further reduced by 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and ultimately 10% by November 14, following a phased schedule.
A Southwest Airlines plane is landing at Chicago Midway International Airport on Thursday, November 6. Photo by AP Yonhap News.
The list of 40 airports where the FAA has decided to reduce operations by 10% includes airports in the three largest cities-New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago-as well as Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Houston, Miami, and San Francisco.
At a press conference the previous day, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Brian Bedford announced that, due to increased fatigue among air traffic controllers, the plan to reduce flight operations by 10% at 40 U.S. airports would be implemented starting November 7.
According to the details, the reductions will be carried out in phases. Airlines are required to reduce flights by 4% on November 7, 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and up to 10% by November 14, with the cuts concentrated in less busy time slots. Administrator Bedford stated, "The FAA will continue to closely monitor operations and will not hesitate to take additional measures to ensure the safety of air travel."
According to the flight tracking website FlightAware, as of the evening of the previous day, more than 700 flights-including domestic flights within the U.S. and flights to and from the U.S.-had been canceled.
Administrator Bedford commented, "In my 35 years in the aviation sector, I have never seen measures like these," adding, "With the government shutdown, we have entered a new phase."
During the shutdown, federal employees performing essential work must do so without pay, which means that approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers across the United States are also working without compensation. Air traffic controllers and airport security personnel do not receive pay during the shutdown, leading to anticipated staff shortages, flight delays, and longer security screening times.
Meanwhile, the Republican and Democratic parties continue to blame each other for what has become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which began on October 1. Major airlines and labor unions have urged Congress to end the shutdown.
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