The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that, due to the ongoing government shutdown, it will implement a 10% reduction in flight capacity at approximately 40 major U.S. airports starting Friday. This decision comes as a result of staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel, many of whom have been working without pay since the shutdown began.

The reduction will begin with a 4% cut on Friday, gradually increasing to 10% by the following week. These cuts are expected to affect a number of high-traffic airports across the country. While the full list of impacted airports has not been officially finalized, the FAA has indicated that major hubs such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will be among the most affected. Other airports on the list include:

1. Anchorage International Airport (ANC)

2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

3. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

4. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

5. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

6. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

7. Dallas Love Field (DAL)

8. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

9. Denver International Airport (DEN)

10. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

11. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

12. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

13. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

14. Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

15. Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)

16. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

17. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

18. Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

19. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

20. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)

21. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

22. LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

23. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

24. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

25. Memphis International Airport (MEM)

26. Miami International Airport (MIA)

27. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)

28. Oakland International Airport (OAK)

29. Ontario International Airport (ONT)

30. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

31. Portland International Airport (PDX)

32. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

33. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

34. San Diego International Airport (SAN)

35. Louisville International Airport (SDF)

36. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

37. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

38. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

39. Teterboro Airport (TEB)

40. Tampa International Airport (TPA)

These capacity reductions could lead to the cancellation of 1,800 flights per day, resulting in the loss of over 268,000 available seats at the affected airports. Passengers traveling through these airports are advised to check their flight status regularly and be prepared for potential delays or cancellations.

The FAA’s decision is seen as a necessary measure to ensure air traffic can still be safely managed despite the ongoing staffing crisis caused by the government shutdown. While the reductions are aimed at minimizing the impact on safety, the disruptions to air travel, particularly during busy travel times, are expected to affect thousands of passengers nationwide.

Sources: Reuters, AP News, CBS News, Mint