USA, air traffic reduced due to the government shutdown

Washington (USA), Nov 6 (LaPresse) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an extraordinary measure to reduce air traffic by 10% in 40 “high-volume” markets starting Friday morning to ensure travel safety, as air traffic controllers show signs of fatigue due to the ongoing shutdown. The cut will affect thousands of flights nationwide, as the FAA manages more than 44,000 flights per day, including commercial passenger flights, cargo planes, and private aircraft. The agency did not immediately identify which airports or cities will be affected but stated that the restrictions will remain in place for as long as necessary. “In my 35 years in the aviation industry, I don’t recall a situation where we had to take measures like this,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford at a press conference. Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since the start of the shutdown on October 1, with most of them on duty six days a week and required to perform mandatory overtime.