U.S. Orders 10% Flight Cut at 40 Major Airports Starting Friday

Overview

• Transportation officials said they will publish the list of affected airports on Thursday, with further safety steps possible if conditions worsen.
• Airlines were asked to suspend additional flights to ease strain on the system as absenteeism rises among unpaid essential workers.
• Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents have been working without pay, contributing to delays and cancellations.
• Data firm Cirium estimated the reductions could affect up to 1,800 flights on Friday, though final totals were not provided by the FAA.
• Industry groups urged Congress to pass spending legislation, noting more than 3.4 million passengers have already faced disruptions, and Secretary Sean Duffy warned prolonged funding lapses could force partial airspace closures.