U.S. Air Traffic Decreases 10% Amid Government Shutdown, Says Transportation Secretary
Federal officials have announced a significant decrease in U.S. air traffic due to ongoing staffing shortages linked to the government shutdown. Starting Friday, air traffic will be reduced by 10% in 40 high-volume markets across the country.
Details of the Air Traffic Reduction
During a press conference on Wednesday, Bryan Bedford, the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), stated, “We have decided that a 10% reduction in scheduled capacity would be appropriate to continue to take the pressure off of our controllers.” Bedford, alongside U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, emphasized that these changes aim to ensure safety in air travel amid current challenges.
Current Situation and Impacts
The government shutdown has now reached its 36th day, setting a record as the longest in U.S. history. This prolonged situation has led to increased flight delays as air traffic is carefully managed. Recent statistics reveal that:
- Over 10,000 flights experienced delays within, into, or out of the U.S. last weekend.
- Approximately 11,000 flights have faced delays this week, according to FlightAware.
Staffing Challenges
Secretary Duffy noted that the Transportation Department is actively working to recruit more air traffic controllers to combat existing shortages, which currently exceed 2,000 controllers.
Details regarding the specific markets that will be affected by the traffic reduction will be disclosed on Thursday.
Conclusion
This reduction in air traffic is part of ongoing efforts to manage a significant staffing crisis. Travelers are encouraged to stay updated on their flight statuses as these measures take effect.
