More than 5,000 US flights were cancelled or delayed on Friday as new federal mandates took effect requiring airlines to scale back operations during the ongoing government shutdown. The rules, introduced at 40 major airports across the country, aim to ease pressure on air traffic controllers and other essential federal employees who have been working without pay since the shutdown began last month.
Many of these workers have reported illness, burnout, or have taken side jobs to stay afloat financially. In response to mounting staffing shortages, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency directive ordering a 4% reduction in flights, which could increase to 10% by the end of next week. The continued lack of pay for essential aviation staff has made this the most extended government shutdown in US history, with growing concerns about its impact on the nation’s aviation safety system.
According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, international flights remain unaffected for now because of existing international agreements. However, he warned in a Fox News interview that if the shutdown continues, flight reductions could reach 20% as more air traffic controllers are unable to report to work.
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