The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is set to cause significant disruptions to air travel, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces plans to reduce air traffic by 10% at major airports across the country. This move, expected to take effect by Friday, aims to mitigate the strain on air-traffic controllers, many of whom are facing increasing fatigue and absenteeism due to the shutdown.

The FAA’s decision to scale back flights comes in response to a growing shortage of staffed controllers at key airports. As a result of the shutdown, thousands of federal workers, including more than 13,000 air-traffic controllers, have been working without pay. The impact of these staffing issues is already being felt across the nation, with reports of widespread flight delays and cancellations in recent days.

While specific airports affected by the flight cuts have not been named, it is expected that high-traffic hubs such as New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta will see the most disruption. Industry estimates suggest that the reduction could result in the cancellation or delay of nearly 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 affected seats.

The FAA’s decision underscores the increasing challenges of managing air traffic under the strain of the federal shutdown. In addition to the cuts, officials have warned that further disruptions could occur if the shutdown continues. Some airspace closures or additional flight restrictions could be implemented to ensure safety as controller shortages worsen.

The shutdown has already caused massive delays, with more than 7,000 flight delays and over 1,250 cancellations reported at major airports in a single day. If the shutdown persists, additional cutbacks in air traffic are expected, further affecting travel for millions of passengers across the United States.

Sources: AP News, Reuters, Politico