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House Set to Vote on Shutdown Deal as FAA Flight Cuts Keep Travelers Delayed

A deep controller shortfall will slow any return to normal operations under continuing safety limits.

Overview

  • Lawmakers are expected to begin voting as early as 4 p.m. Wednesday on a bipartisan bill the Senate already passed to reopen the government.
  • The FAA’s phased reductions at 40 major airports remain in place, with cuts projected to increase to 8% on Thursday and 10% on Friday.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said controller attendance has improved, with staffing triggers dropping from 81 on Saturday to four on Tuesday.
  • Despite some stabilization, disruptions continue, with FlightAware logging more than 880 cancellations and over 400 delays as of Wednesday morning.
  • Duffy said air traffic controllers would receive 70% of back pay within 24–48 hours of reopening and the remainder about a week later, while airlines warn residual delays could persist into Thanksgiving.