Nearly 40 days into the longest continuous federal government shutdown in history, 40 major U.S. airports are cutting flights by 10%, citing pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the announcement on Nov. 5, and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Brian Bedford told CEOs of major airlines that the cuts would start at 4% on Nov. 7, increase to 5% on Nov. 8, 6% on Nov. 9, and reach 10% next week.
Travelers have already endured long flight delays and long security lines due to the government shutdown, which has forced some 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners to work without pay.
Even before the shutdown, the FAA had long struggled with a shortage of air traffic controllers. In May, USA TODAY reported that the FAA was short 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide.
As Thanksgiving approaches and the U.S. enters its busiest travel week, rental car companies such as Hertz are reporting a surge in one-way rentals in the face of flight disruptions.
Source USA TODAY Network Reports and Investigations, FAA, FlightsFrom.com
