US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Bryan Bedford, on Wednesday announced that air traffic control in 40 key markets would be reduced by 10 per cent by Friday if the government shutdown continues.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Bryan Bedford, on Wednesday announced that air traffic control in 40 key markets would be reduced by 10 per cent by Friday if the government shutdown continues. “We are going to proactively make decisions to keep the airspace safe,” Duffy told reporters at a news conference.
He went on to predict that the restrictions would result in some cancellations, but adding those would be necessary to “alleviate the pressure” on air traffic controllers in high-traffic areas. Meanwhile, the FAA is expected to announce what areas will be affected by the shutdown on Thursday.
Duffy has been sounding an alarm about the pressure on the FAA’s force of certified air traffic controllers amid the shutdown. Most of the staff are already working overtime shifts to compensate for the fact that about 3,000 of 14,000 positions were vacant before the shutdown, which they are required to work through without pay.