Washington, November 5, 2025 — As the US government shutdown stretched into its 36th day, the Department of Transportation announced significant flight restrictions to maintain safety amid a growing staffing crisis. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that starting Friday, a 10% cut in flight capacity will be implemented across 40 major locations, affecting nearly 4,000 flights throughout the country.
The measure comes as thousands of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees continue to work without pay. Duffy stated that a list of airports impacted by the cuts will be released on Thursday. “Our top priority is safety,” he said. “We have to slow down air traffic operations to prevent any potential accidents in the current conditions.”
The ongoing shutdown, which began on October 1, has led to severe staffing shortages. Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents remain on duty despite the lack of paychecks for over a month. The FAA has warned that the situation is placing extreme pressure on the national aviation system.
Duffy admitted that the system is “stretched to its limits” and that additional restrictions could follow if safety concerns increase. “We won’t hesitate to restrict airspace if we believe the current situation risks passenger safety,” he said.
According to aviation data firm FlightAware, more than 10,000 flights within, into, or out of the US were delayed last weekend, with another 4,700 delays recorded on Monday. Nearly half of the nation’s 30 busiest airports are currently operating below essential staffing levels, the FAA confirmed.
Duffy also acknowledged the struggles of unpaid federal workers. “These are people with families, bills, and responsibilities,” he said. “They continue to show up despite financial hardship, and that shows their dedication.”
The prolonged government shutdown has disrupted multiple federal agencies, creating ripple effects across essential services and intensifying challenges for the aviation industry.
