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FAA to Cut Flights at 40 Busiest U.S. Airports as Shutdown Reaches Day 36

To preserve safety during severe staffing shortfalls, regulators are trimming capacity during the record federal shutdown.

Overview

  • About 10% of departures at the 40 busiest airports will be removed from schedules starting Friday, the FAA said.
  • The agency cautioned it may order additional curbs if operations remain strained.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that portions of U.S. airspace could be closed next week and pledged to halt the system if safety cannot be assured.
  • Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 TSA employees are working without pay, with some major facilities reporting 20–40% missed shifts.
  • The shutdown has become the longest on record as talks continue over health‑subsidy funding, with millions of passengers already affected and holiday travel at risk.