The agency made the announcement as it faces a staffing shortage with air traffic controllers working without pay.
Published November 5, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a 10% reduction in air traffic in 40 “high-volume” markets starting Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.
The agency made the announcement Wednesday as it faces a staffing shortage with air traffic controllers working without pay, some absent from work during the shutdown, resulting in delays across the country.
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FAA Administrator Brian Bedford said the agency won’t wait until the problem is resolved before acting, saying the shutdown is causing staffing pressures that “cannot be ignored.”
Bedford and Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said they planned to meet with airline leaders later Wednesday to consider how to implement the cuts safely.
extensive delays
The shutdown is now in its 36th day, with 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration employees working without pay. This has exacerbated staffing shortages, caused widespread flight delays and led to long airport security lines.
The move is aimed at easing pressure on air traffic controllers. The FAA also warned that it could add further flight restrictions after Friday if further problems arise with air traffic.
Duffy warned on Tuesday that another week of federal government shutdowns could cause “massive disruption” and force some airspace to be closed to air traffic, a drastic move that could upend the U.S. aviation industry.
Airlines have repeatedly called for an end to the grounding, citing aviation safety risks.
Shares of major airlines, including United Airlines and American Airlines, fell about 1% in after-hours trading.
Airline industry groups estimate that more than 3.2 million passengers have been affected by flight delays and cancellations due to increased absence of air traffic controllers since the shutdown began on October 1. Airlines have expressed concerns to lawmakers about the impact on flight operations.
Airlines say the shutdown has not had a major impact on their business, but warn that if it drags on, bookings could decline. More than 2,100 flights were delayed on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the FAA’s Bedford announced that 20 to 40 percent of air traffic controllers at the agency’s 30 largest airports are not reporting to work.
The federal government is nearly shut down as Republicans and Democrats in Congress are locked in a standoff over funding legislation. Democrats say they won’t approve a plan that doesn’t extend health insurance subsidies, but Republicans reject that idea.
