The Federal Aviation Administration announced it will reduce air traffic by 10% at 40 major airports starting Friday morning. This decision comes as the agency grapples with staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown, which has left many air traffic controllers working without pay since October 1.

The reduction is expected to affect thousands of flights across the country. The FAA manages over 44,000 flights daily, including commercial, cargo, and private aircraft. Air traffic controllers have been facing increasing pressures, with some calling out of work, leading to delays at various U.S. airports.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized the need for proactive measures. "We can’t ignore it," he said, referring to the staffing challenges. He and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy are set to meet with airline executives to discuss how to implement the flight reductions safely. A list of the affected airports will be released on Thursday.

Duffy noted that the decision to cut flights was made to ensure safety in the airspace. He stated, "We thought 10 percent was the right number based on the pressure we’ve been seeing." The shutdown has impacted approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers, leading to significant disruptions in air travel.

Last weekend, staffing shortages were particularly severe, with at least 39 air traffic control facilities reporting potential staffing issues. This number is significantly higher than the average of 8.3 facilities reporting similar issues during weekends prior to the shutdown. Controllers have been working mandatory overtime, leaving little time for additional work to cover their expenses.

Airlines and aviation unions have urged Congress to resolve the shutdown, which has now become the longest in U.S. history at 36 days. Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, it could lead to "mass chaos" in the skies, potentially forcing the FAA to close parts of the national airspace.

Despite the challenges, both Duffy and Bedford assured the public that air travel remains safe. They are taking these measures to prevent any adverse consequences, citing lessons learned from past incidents, including a mid-air collision earlier this year. Duffy stated, "We try to assess the pressure and try to make moves before there could be adverse consequences."

As the situation develops, airlines are evaluating how the capacity reductions will affect their schedules. Southwest Airlines has indicated it will reach out to customers whose travel plans may be impacted. The FAA continues to monitor the situation closely and is prepared to take further action if necessary.