The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce about 10% of air traffic at about 40 major airports on Friday due to staffing shortages from the month-long federal shutdown. The reduction in traffic is a proactive measure to combat growing fatigue of understaffed flight controllers, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford explained Wednesday.

Bedford cited air traffic data supporting the decision, specifically commercial air transport pilots submitting voluntary safety disclosures. Data showed that pressure is building and if it goes on unchecked, the FAA can’t operate the safest airline system in the world, he said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, appearing alongside Bedford, noted that controllers have worked for over a month without pay. Many have been forced to take side jobs to pay bills and provide food for the family, which is understandable, Duffy said. Staffing shortages and additional work have caused extreme pressure for controllers, and although the DOT doesn’t want more delays and cancellations, safety is the top priority, he said.

What areas or airlines will experience the cuts? Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air planned to comply with the FAA’s traffic reduction, according to company statements. Transportation officials planned to release a list of the impacted areas on Thursday.

Commentators expect the reduction to impact flights out of the nation’s largest airports, including Virginia’s Reagan National,Texas’ Dallas-Fort Worth International, Las Vegas’ Reid International, Los Angeles International, and Chicago O’Hare International, among others. Duffy warned earlier in the week that portions of airspace may need to close down to keep travelers safe if the shutdown continued.

This story originally appeared in WORLD. © 2025, reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.