US Transportation Secretary Warns of Potential 20% Flight Reductions Amid Government Shutdown
US Transportation Secretary Warns of Potential 20% Flight Reductions Amid Government Shutdown
The US transportation sector is facing significant challenges as the government shutdown continues to impact air travel. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has warned that if the shutdown persists, he may be forced to reduce flights by up to 20%. This comes after the Department of Transportation ordered a 10% reduction in flights at 40 major airports to alleviate stress on the aviation system.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has instructed these 40 airports to increase their domestic flight reductions from 4% to 10% starting from Friday, November 7th, through next Friday, November 14th. The affected airlines include the four largest US carriers: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Secretary Buttigieg emphasized that any further reductions would depend on the situation's development. "We will evaluate the data and make decisions based on air traffic conditions," he stated. Meanwhile, over 2,000 flights were canceled or delayed across the US on Friday alone, according to a report by the BBC.
The impact of the government shutdown is being felt deeply in the aviation industry. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security personnel are working without pay, leading to higher absenteeism rates. Many air traffic controllers received notice on Thursday that they would not receive their second paycheck of the month.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the severity of the situation by sharing a photo of an airport flight board showing numerous cancellations on social media. She criticized Republican actions for causing the shutdown, stating, "The Republicans are shutting down the government, crippling America on the eve of the holiday season!"
Furthermore, several major airports, including those in Atlanta, San Francisco, Houston, Phoenix, Washington D.C., and Newark, experienced significant delays due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. By 3:30 PM Eastern Time on Friday, over 4,000 flights had been delayed.
As the government shutdown enters its 38th day, the aviation industry continues to struggle with operational challenges. The situation underscores the broader impact of political gridlock on critical infrastructure and public services.