The Federal Aviation Administration has announced it will reduce flight capacity nationwide starting Friday morning as air traffic controllers continue working without pay during the government shutdown.
The FAA stated that air traffic will be reduced by 10% at 40 high-traffic airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Sea-Tac ranks as the 12th-busiest airport in the country.
Specific details regarding which airlines or routes will experience the greatest impact remain unclear as officials continue evaluating operational adjustments.
The complete list of airports facing capacity reductions includes: Anchorage International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Boston Logan International, Baltimore/Washington International, Charlotte Douglas International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Dallas Love, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Denver International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Newark Liberty International, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International, Honolulu International, Houston Hobby, Washington Dulles International, George Bush Houston Intercontinental, Indianapolis International, New York John F Kennedy International, Las Vegas McCarran International, Los Angeles International, New York LaGuardia, Orlando International, Chicago Midway, Memphis International, Miami International, Minneapolis/St Paul International, Oakland International, Ontario International, Chicago O’Hare International, Portland International, Philadelphia International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, San Diego International, Louisville International, Seattle/Tacoma International, San Francisco International, Salt Lake City International, Teterboro, and Tampa International.
Sean Duffy, the FAA Administrator, characterised this as a “data-based decision” designed to alleviate pressure on controllers as they maintain aviation safety standards.
“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated at a press conference Wednesday.
The timing concerns travellers preparing for holiday journeys. “I think it’s crazy because Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up. I’m supposed to be going to Bend with friends, and I’m definitely not gonna fly,” said Carla Butler, who lives in Columbia City.
Since 1 October, when the government shutdown commenced, “air traffic controllers and those who work in DOT and throughout government, they haven’t received paychecks,” Sean Duffy, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, noted, adding that FAA employees are set to miss their second paychecks this week.
Passengers have encountered delays at airports throughout the country as the FAA must slow down or temporarily halt traffic when controller shortages occur.
On Sunday alone, Duffy reported that 46% of flights were delayed due to staffing issues in air traffic control towers, as some controllers have been absent from work during the shutdown.
Duffy warned conditions will deteriorate further the longer the shutdown continues and financial pressure intensifies on people forced to work without compensation.
“I’ve continually asked our controllers to come to work. I’ve thanked those who have come in and done the great work by way of the American people,” Duffy stated, whilst acknowledging the financial position facing others who must find alternative employment to support their families.
Travellers this week have expressed anxiety heading into the weekend. Kelly Kelber and her husband, who are flying into Newark International Airport in New Jersey to attend their son’s Coast Guard graduation, represent many facing uncertainty.
“Well, we’re really nervous just because Newark has had a lot of cancellations and airline delays,” Kelber explained. “We actually looked up backup flights through United, in the event we had to fly into a different airport.”
The couple said they empathise with workers facing the challenging balance between professional obligations and financial security.
“We just want to go through the airport and thank everybody that we see that’s here today,” Kelber said. “I can’t imagine trying to make ends meet, and living check to check, when the checks aren’t coming in, how does that work, you know?”
The situation highlights the cascading effects of the government shutdown on critical infrastructure operations. Air traffic control represents one of many essential government functions affected by the budget impasse, with controllers classified as essential personnel required to work despite payment interruptions.
The FAA’s decision to proactively reduce capacity reflects concerns about maintaining safety margins as controller availability becomes less predictable. Fatigue, stress from financial uncertainty, and workforce attrition all potentially compromise the attention and judgement required for air traffic control operations.
Airlines will need to adjust schedules to accommodate the reduced capacity, likely concentrating cuts on less profitable routes whilst attempting to maintain service on high-demand corridors. The 10% reduction may translate into hundreds of cancelled flights daily across the affected airports.
Sea-Tac Airport serves as a major hub for Alaska Airlines and a significant operation centre for Delta Air Lines, meaning both carriers will likely face substantial operational challenges. The timing ahead of the Thanksgiving travel period, traditionally one of the busiest for domestic air travel, compounds difficulties for both airlines and passengers.
Industry observers note that sustained capacity reductions could generate significant economic impacts extending beyond immediate travel disruptions. Business travel delays affect commerce, whilst cancelled leisure trips impact tourism-dependent communities. Airlines face lost revenue and increased operational costs from rebooking passengers and managing schedule disruptions.
The broader context includes ongoing debates about aviation infrastructure funding, controller hiring and training pipelines, and workforce retention challenges facing the FAA. Even before the current crisis, many air traffic control facilities operated with controller shortages, making the system vulnerable to additional stressors like the shutdown.
Labour organisations representing air traffic controllers have expressed frustration with the situation, arguing that requiring essential personnel to work without pay whilst simultaneously reducing their numbers through attrition creates untenable conditions. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has advocated for resolving the budget impasse to restore normal operations and prevent further workforce degradation.
Passengers planning travel through affected airports should monitor flight status closely, arrive earlier than normal to accommodate potential delays, and consider building additional flexibility into travel plans. Travel insurance that covers cancellations due to circumstances beyond travellers’ control may provide some financial protection against disrupted plans.
