The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun cutting flight capacity by 10% at 40 major U.S. airports as the government shutdown continues, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed Friday, emphasizing that “my No. 1 job is safety".
I have done all I can to minimize disruption in the airspace. I’m trying to get people where they want to go and to get there safely.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 7, 2025
We are taking unprecedented action at @USDOT because we are in an unprecedented shutdown. pic.twitter.com/3Yk5G426hy
Duffy said mounting stress on unpaid air traffic controllers — many working 10-hour days, six days a week — prompted the cuts. The affected airports include key hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York City.
I don’t have access to money to pay air traffic controllers during this shutdown. Congress has said there is no money. I’d love to pay them, but I can’t.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 6, 2025
My message to Democrats is to sit down, figure it out, and not hold the American people hostage- especially when they want to… pic.twitter.com/up2peizyZn
New data shows the shutdown has already caused widespread disruptions. Nearly one in four flights arrived late at 16 of the nation’s busiest airports during the week after controllers missed their first paycheck, compared with 18% in September. In the New York area, fewer than 65% of flights arrived on time.
Duffy said the FAA’s decision was preemptive and data-driven, aimed at preventing safety risks as staffing shortages worsen.
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TIPP Staff
