The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it will begin curbing flight routes across the United States by 10% starting on Friday, November 7.
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The announcement comes after the US federal government shutdown enters its fifth week. Last week, at the end of October, ATC and TSA workers went home without their first full paycheck. The result is rising concerns about the availability of federal employees in the realm of air travel, especially security and air traffic.
The goal is to create a program that will account for understaffing at 40 major hubs across the United States. Here’s what to expect.
FAA will reduce flights by 10% starting on Friday
ATC and TSA workers have been working without pay since October 1, 2025. Due to concerns like fuel costs, childcare, and overall frustration, many workers have begun to call off in larger numbers. This has led to understaffing, which, in turn, has already created major delays at large airports.
According to one FAA Administrator, “I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures.”
In addition to the FAA reducing air traffic by 10%, major airline carriers are also working to adjust their routes. Some flights will be shifted onto a more dynamic schedule, while others will be axed, with passengers receiving vouchers for future travel dates.
Airlines will likely keep larger international flights as-is while looking to reschedule or cancel smaller routes between regional airports, rather than hubs. However, it looks like most major carriers, including Delta and American, will wait for the FAA to release its new air traffic schedule.
