The US government shutdown will cause a 10% cut in air travel capacity at 40 “high volume” airports across the country from tomorrow (Friday).
The identity of the affected airports will be released later but the cancellations could affect between 3,500 and 4,000 flights a day.
US transportation secretary Sean Duffy said: “I anticipate there will be additional disruption, there will be frustration. We are working with the airlines, they’re going to work with passengers but in the end our sole role is that we keep this airspace as safe as possible.”
The flight reductions will be gradual, starting at 4% of domestic flights on Friday, then rising to 5% on Saturday and 6% on Sunday, before hitting the full 10% next week, Reuters reported after the announcement.
As the shutdown became the longest in US history at 36 days, air traffic controllers have had to keep working without pay. Some have taken on second jobs and many are calling in sick.
The system was more than 3,000 certified controllers short even before the shutdown.
Duffy insisted that air travel in the US is still safe, and the decision to cancel the flights was being made to maintain safety and efficiency.
But additional restrictive measures may be required if the shutdown continues and adds more pressure to the system, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Bryan Bedford said.
The aviation regulator has already been delaying flights at some airports because of widespread staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.
The decision to start restricting flights was made because air traffic controllers have been reporting issues with fatigue, Bedford said at a media briefing with Duffy on Wednesday.
“It is unusual, just as the shutdown is unusual, just as the fact that our controllers haven’t been paid for a month is unusual,” he added.
“We are seeing pressures build in a way that we don’t feel – if we allow it to go unchecked – will allow us to continue to tell the public that we operate the safest airline system in the world.”
US Travel Association president and chef executive Geoff Freeman said in response: “Today’s announcement from secretary Duffy and administrator Bedford reinforces that safety is the number one priority in our nation’s air travel system.
“The decision to reduce scheduled flight capacity, while necessary to keep our skies safe, will inevitably affect the travel experience, leading to fewer flights, longer delays and more disruptions for travellers.
“All government shutdowns are irresponsible and this decision underscores the urgent need to reopen the government.
“The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system, forcing difficult operational decisions that disrupt travel and damage confidence in the US air travel experience. The fault for this situation rests squarely at the feet of Congress.”
American Airlines, the second-largest US carrier, said it was awaiting additional information from the FAA so it could determine which flights will be affected, but that “we expect the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected”.
United Airlines said: “The US government plans to restrict flights beginning Friday, November 7, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
“We’re making updates to our schedule and will let you know if your flight is affected as soon as possible.”
