The Donald Trump Administration has decided to cut air traffic by 10% at 40 airports in the United States to try to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers, affected by the closure of the federal government due to the inability of Republicans and Democrats to agree to extend the budget until the end of the year. The budget blockade was 35 days old yesterday and became the longest in history.
It has caused the closure or minimal activity of dozens of state agencies, from natural parks, museums, health agencies, etc. And it has reduced the activity of other agencies considered essential for security, such as controllers. But due to budget constraints. Added to this is the fact that 3,000 of the 14,000 controller positions in the country were vacant before the closure, according to data compiled by The New York Times.
Many controllers are also missing work because lack of pay forces them to look for other jobs to be able to pay for their children’s school, health insurance or mortgage.
The restrictions will come into effect this Friday. The day before, on Thursday, details about the markets that will be affected will be offered. The director of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Bryan Bedford, explained that the agency would meet with the airlines this Wednesday night to discuss the implementation of the plan.
🚨 is initiating a 10% reduction in capacity at 40 major airports.
This data-based decision is designed to alleviate pressure on our air traffic controllers required to keep the skies safe.
— USDOT Rapid Response (@USDOTRapid)
The measure has been announced by the Secretary of Transport, Sean Duffy. “My number one priority is the safety of American citizens,” the Republican politician said through his X account.
The measure is unprecedented. It occurs just before Thanksgiving, the national holiday with the highest travel traffic. Forecasts show a record number of trips in the United States during these dates.
The decision is also adopted after yesterday a plane belonging to the parcel and transport company left at least nine people dead and 11 injured, some seriously. The accident is not related to , but the words of the Secretary of State seem to want to link both events
“There will be frustration,” Duffy said during a press conference to announce the measure. “But in the end, our only role is to make sure this airspace is kept as safe as possible.” The Secretary of Transportation did not close the door to further tightening restrictions on air travel. “The data will determine our actions. If the data goes in the wrong direction, could we see additional restrictions? Yes,” he warned.
Duffy insisted that air traffic cuts are necessary to maintain safety. And he has indicated that, for now, the measure will not affect international flights.
The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) has approved some measures in recent days to slow air traffic operations at some airports due to a shortage of controllers since the government shutdown began on October 1. Millions of passengers have suffered flight cancellations and delays related to staff shortages since the lockdown began.
More than 2,000 flights that have taken off or landed at US airports have been delayed so far this Tuesday, and more than 60 of these flights have been cancelled, according to FlightAware.
FAA Director Bryan Bedford said during the press conference: “We are in uncharted territory when it comes to government closures,” he said. He specified that airspace surveillance had changed compared to what it was a year ago after the accident last January of a plane at Ronald Reagan Airport. “We are living in exceptional times and we look forward to the time when we can return to normal,” Bedford said.
