FAA Flight Delays: Trump Admin Offers Air Journey Update Amid Authorities Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced on Wednesday that it’s going to cut back air site visitors by 10 p.c throughout 40 main U.S. markets beginning Friday morning to keep up security amid the continued authorities shutdown.

The company is dealing with rising staffing shortages as air site visitors controllers proceed to work with out pay, with an growing quantity calling out sick, leading to widespread flight delays. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford mentioned the company “can’t ignore” the pressure on the system and can act earlier than security is compromised.

“We’re not going to wait for a problem to act,” Bedford mentioned.

Bedford and Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy plan to satisfy with airline executives later Wednesday to debate methods to implement the reductions safely and decrease disruptions for vacationers.

Newsweek reached out to the FAA and DOT through e-mail on Wednesday afternoon for additional remark.

Why It Matters

Air site visitors controller staffing was already a critical problem dealing with American air journey earlier than the federal government shutdown, with Duffy outlining plans to modernize know-how and improve staffing earlier this yr. The shutdown has added to the issue, nonetheless, with ATCs going with out paychecks whereas lawmakers are unable to succeed in a deal to reopen the federal government.

Sean Duffy Announces Capacity Reduction at Airports: What We Know

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Duffy mentioned that many air site visitors controllers had been the heads of their households, and going with out pay was not sustainable for them.

“Tomorrow, they get a pay stub email on what their next paycheck is going to be, and when that paystub comes out, that is also going to be zero,” Duffy mentioned. “What we’re finding is, with our air traffic controllers, because of the financial pressures at home, are taking side jobs.”

As a consequence, ATCs haven’t been displaying as much as work at airports across the nation, inflicting vital delays for vacationers. Duffy mentioned the DOT and FAA’s precedence was to maintain passengers protected, and that decreasing flights was one approach to obtain this.

Bedford mentioned that there was rising fatigue throughout the system, prompting concern on the FAA over flight security and rising delays.

The secretary did say that modernization efforts had been underway, however that this might take time.

Which Airports Could Be Affected by the Reduction? 

Forty areas can be affected by the change, Duffy mentioned Wednesday, explaining that they’d been chosen based mostly on knowledge and the airways that function from them. Around 3,500 to 4,000 every day flights could possibly be affected.

Further particulars on which particular airports can be affected had been pending on Wednesday night.

There have already been quite a few delays at airports throughout the nation—generally for hours—as a result of the FAA quickly slows or stops site visitors at any time when it’s quick on controllers. Last weekend noticed a number of the worst staffing shortages, and on Sunday, flights at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey had been delayed for a number of hours.

Major airways, aviation unions and the broader journey trade have been urging Congress to finish the shutdown.

Are They Cutting FAA Staff?  

Duffy didn’t recommend that FAA workers had been being decreased, as an alternative saying that ATCs had been selecting to take paid work outdoors their airport roles whereas the federal government shutdown continues.

The DOT has been attempting to deal with staffing shortages for a number of months, with guarantees of enhanced coaching practices and fashionable know-how to assist ATCs of their roles as soon as employed.

What People Are Saying

FAA administrator Bryan Bedford mentioned on Wednesday: “I want to applaud the controllers who continue to come to work on a daily basis, keeping our system safe, but I also want to acknowledge that the data is showing us we need to do more. We are going to do more, and I want to reassure the American travelers that it is absolutely safe to fly in the American skies.”

New York Democratic Representative Dan Goldman, on X: “Trump’s shutdown has pushed our air traffic system to the brink. Half of all major airports are understaffed. Flights are delayed. Controllers are working unpaid double shifts. The GOP would rather ground our planes than make health care affordable for millions of Americans.”

What Happens Next

The FAA can be assembly with airways to debate logistics on Wednesday night time. The restrictions will start on Friday, November 7, with Duffy stating {that a} return to regular is just not but clear.

This article accommodates reporting by The Associated Press.

Update 11/5/25, 5:46 p.m. ET: This article was up to date with further data.