FAA's Plan to Cut Flights Might Not Be an Utter Nightmare

"The US Federal Aviation Administration plans to cut 10 percent of flights in 40 high-traffic airports on Friday morning if Congress fails to reopen the federal government by then, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA chief Bryan Bedford said Wednesday. The announcement came days after the US agency said it faced widespread shortages of air traffic controllers in half of the country's 30 busiest airports, and hours-long security lines caused by absences of Transportation Security Administration agents."

"The FAA did not immediately respond to WIRED's questions, and it's unclear whether the flight cut will affect only commercial airlines, or cargo and private flights, as well. A 10 percent reduction in scheduled commercial flights at 40 airports could lead to some 4,000 to 5,000 canceled flights per day. For airlines and travelers, a sudden cut in flights will likely lead to some serious logistical headaches. Duffy has warned this week of air travel "mass chaos" should the shutdown drag on."

"But airlines have some experience responding to sudden flight reductions due to staffing issues, says Michael McCormick, a former FAA official who now heads the Air Traffic Management program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In the spring of 2023, during another period of air traffic controller shortages, the FAA allowed airlines to reduce their capacities in New York-area airports. (Such reductions usually force airlines to forfeit the right to a takeoff or landing; the FAA temporarily nixed that penalty.) In response, airline schedulers were ab"

The FAA plans a 10 percent reduction of flights at 40 high-traffic U.S. airports on Friday morning if Congress does not reopen the federal government. The agency reports widespread air traffic controller shortages at half of the country's 30 busiest airports and long TSA security lines due to absent agents, while federal workers have gone 35 days without pay. Officials say flight reductions are data-based to relieve pressure and that passengers will still reach destinations safely. A 10 percent cut could cancel roughly 4,000–5,000 flights per day and create major logistical headaches for airlines and travelers. Airlines previously reduced capacity during 2023 shortages and regulators temporarily waived some penalties.

Read at WIRED