U.S. Flight Cuts: Shutdown Forces 10% Air Travel Reduction
November 6, 2025
2:10 am
The U.S. government will reduce air travel capacity by up to 10% at 40 major airports starting Friday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced, warning that continued strain on unpaid air traffic controllers is threatening flight safety and efficiency.
The measure, unveiled during a Wednesday briefing with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Bryan Bedford, marks one of the most significant operational cutbacks since the federal shutdown began on October 1, now the longest in U.S. history.
The FAA said the cuts will roll out gradually: 4% of domestic flights will be reduced Friday, 5% Saturday, 6% Sunday, and 10% by next …
