The U.S. government has ordered airlines to reduce flights by 10% at 40 major airports, citing safety concerns as the record-breaking shutdown stretches into its 36th day.

The move has forced airlines to scramble to adjust schedules and left passengers facing delays and uncertainty.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would implement a phased reduction in flights, starting with 4% this week and rising to 10% next week. He said the move was necessary to ensure safety as tens of thousands of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents continue to work without pay.

Duffy said the decision could be reversed if Democrats agree to reopen the government, which has now become the longest shutdown in U.S. history. “Our job is to make the hard decisions to keep the airspace safe,” he told reporters, referring to an internal safety assessment that warned of increased risk due to staff fatigue and shortages.

Shutdown deepens staffing crisis

Since the shutdown began, more than 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents have been working unpaid, leading to widespread absenteeism and delays. Industry sources told Reuters that the FAA’s capacity cuts would begin modestly before ramping up to 10% next week.

The FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said, “We can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating. The system is extremely safe today and will remain so tomorrow.”

Officials confirmed that international flights would be exempt from the cuts, while domestic routes — especially regional and non-hub connections — would face the brunt of the reductions.

Airlines scramble to adjust

The order has sent airlines rushing to modify schedules and communicate with customers. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby assured passengers that long-haul and hub-to-hub operations would remain unaffected, emphasizing flexibility and offering refunds to those unwilling to travel during the disruption.

American Airlines also said most customers would see minimal changes, while Southwest Airlines, the largest domestic carrier, said it was assessing how the cuts would affect its schedule.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing 55,000 members, condemned the shutdown as “a cruel attack on all Americans.” President Sara Nelson criticized lawmakers for “manufacturing crises” that endanger both federal workers and public safety.

Economic and operational fallout

Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimated that flight reductions could eliminate up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 airline seats across the country. Major hubs likely to be affected include airports in New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

Airlines warned that bookings may decline if the shutdown continues, with over 3.2 million travelers already affected since October 1. The FAA also cautioned that it might impose further restrictions if staffing levels worsen or if more controllers fail to report for duty.

Shares of United and American Airlines fell roughly 1% in extended trading following the announcement.

The shutdown stems from a standoff between Republicans and Democrats in Congress over a funding bill. Democrats have refused to pass a measure that omits health insurance subsidies, while Republicans — led by President Donald Trump — have sought to increase pressure by highlighting the economic and logistical toll on ordinary Americans.

The federal government closure has already affected 750,000 federal employees and suspended numerous public services, including food assistance programs.

Duffy warned earlier this week that if the shutdown persisted, it could result in “mass chaos” across U.S. airspace and potentially force closures of some national air routes.