Trump admin reduces flights in key high traffic areas amid government shutdown
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters that the reduction will begin on Friday and is intended to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers.
By Misty Severi
Published: November 5, 2025 5:36pm
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday announced that it would reduce flight capacity at the United States' top 40 high-traffic markets by 10% later this week amid the record-long federal government shutdown.
The move comes because of a staffing shortage at airports nationwide because of the government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1. The Transportation Department has seen a high number of air traffic controllers call in sick amid the shutdown because they are required to work without immediate compensation.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters that the reduction will begin on Friday and is intended to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers, per Politico. It is not clear what airports will be impacted.
“The national airspace is safe,” Bedford said in a news conference. “These are proactive measures we’re taking so we can guarantee the American public that the national airspace is operating at the highest levels of safety.”
Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet with airline leaders later Wednesday to figure out the best way to implement the reduction safely.
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https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/transportation/trump-admin-reduces-flights-key-high-traffic-areas-amid-government
