Payam Javan: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an unprecedented nationwide reduction in air traffic, ordering the world’s busiest airport and 39 others across the United States to cut flights by up to 10 percent beginning November 7. The move comes as the agency grapples with a severe personnel shortage caused by the prolonged government shutdown, which has left air traffic controllers working long hours without pay. The measure will roll out gradually, starting with a 4 percent reduction before reaching 10 percent by November 14, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the order, saying he had not seen such an action in his 35 years in aviation. “We can’t ignore it,” Bedford said at a press conference on November 5. “If the pressures continue to build even after we take these measures, we’ll come back and take additional measures.” The FAA emphasized that the restrictions will remain in place until further notice and are necessary to preserve operational safety during the shutdown.

The list of affected airports spans 24 states and includes major passenger and cargo hubs such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, John F. Kennedy International, Los Angeles International, and Memphis International, home to FedEx’s global superhub. According to FlightAware data, more than 2,300 delays and roughly 50 cancellations had already been reported as of Thursday afternoon. The reductions come just weeks before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel periods of the year, raising concerns about widespread disruptions to holiday travel.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the situation could worsen if the government remains shut down. “As we come into Thanksgiving, if we’re still in the shutdown posture, it’s going to be rough out there. Really rough,” Duffy told Fox News. He urged Democrats to return to the negotiating table, saying, “Congress has said there is no money. I’d love to pay [air traffic controllers], but I can’t. My message to Democrats is to sit down, figure it out, and not hold the American people hostage, especially when they want to travel.” Republicans currently hold a 53–47 majority in the Senate but have been unable to move a continuing resolution forward due to Democratic opposition.