Overview
- The reduction will roll in over several days, beginning near 4% on Friday and reaching 10% next week, affecting an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 flights per day.
- The FAA plans to publish the list of 40 high‑volume markets on Thursday after declining to name specific airports at the announcement.
- Administrator Bryan Bedford called the step unprecedented in his 35 years and said it is a preventive safety measure as staffing strain intensifies during the shutdown.
- Airlines say they will focus cuts on regional and non‑hub domestic routes, keep most hub‑to‑hub and long‑haul international flying intact, and offer notifications and refunds.
- Officials cautioned that additional limits could follow if pressures persist, including curbs on space launches, and noted a separate ground stop at DCA stemmed from a security issue.