FAA To Cut Thousands of Flights per Day

The ongoing government shutdown has strained the ability of air traffic controllers and TSA agents, who are considered essentially employees and are working without pay.

In an effort to release some of that pressure, and to make air travel safer at some of the busiest venues in the country, the Federal Aviation Admission has announced impending cutbacks on flight schedules at several airports.

“Our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible. Reduction in capacity at 40 of our locations," said FAA administrator administrator Bryan Bedford.

"This is not based on light airline travel locations. This is about where the pressure is and how to really deviate the pressure." Bedford said that the reduction in flight capacity would go into effect on Friday, November 7.

The administrator also noted that he had not seen an unprecedented move like this in his 35-year career.

Thousands of Flights Will Be Affected

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that approximately 4,000 flights will be affected, and that "the list of impacted airports will be released on Thursday."

The reduction in flight capacity is set to lessen the load on tens of thousands of air traffic controllers and TSA workers. According to Reuters, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents are working without pay.

"They're the head of household. They have their spouse at home, they have a child or 2 or 3. And when they lose income, they are confronted with real-world, difficulties in how they pay their bills," Duffy said about the unpaid workers.

"I do not want them to take side jobs. I want them to show up for work. We have asked them to show up for work. But I'm not naive to, understand that they're trying that. We have seen staffing pressures throughout our airspace."

Airports Respond to the Increased Pressure

Long lines and delays have happened at airports all over America, with some travelers reporting wait times of multiple hours just to get through security checkpoints.

“The federal government shutdown has impacted TSA staffing and operations nationwide," said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System. Houston's Bush Airport saw wait times exceed three to four hours over the weekend.

“We ask that passengers continue to arrive early and expect extended security wait times until the federal government shutdown is resolved.”

As delays continue and flights around the country are affected, the reduction in air travel will have significant effects for travelers, airlines, airports and the entire infrastructure of the industry.