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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an unusual directive to curtail flights nationwide as a consequence of the ongoing government shutdown that has reached a record duration. The order, which went into effect Friday morning, has left some travelers scrambling for alternative arrangements. However, many passengers were relieved as their flights remained on time, with airlines gradually implementing reductions at the country’s busiest airports.
The FAA’s list of 40 airports affected by the slowdown stretches across over two dozen states, leading to the cancellation of at least 1,000 flights on Friday to meet the FAA’s mandate.
According to the FAA, the cutbacks will initially impact 4% of flights at high-traffic airports, with plans to increase this figure to 10% by the following week. This action aims to alleviate the burden on air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay for more than a month. Many controllers are enduring six-day workweeks with mandatory overtime, and there is a rising number of absences attributed to financial stress and fatigue.
Other Developments in the News
- Supreme Court Blocks Full SNAP Payments: The Supreme Court has temporarily halted a lower court’s order requiring full funding of SNAP food aid amid the government shutdown. The Trump administration sought to limit payments to the available contingency fund, affecting approximately 1 in 8 Americans.
- Senate Blocks Restriction on Trump’s Military Powers: On Thursday, Senate Republicans rejected legislation that would restrict President Trump’s ability to initiate military action against Venezuela without congressional approval. This decision comes amid calls for more information on U.S. military activities targeting alleged drug-smuggling operations in the region.
- Continued Partisan Standoff Over Government Shutdown: Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed a Democratic proposal to reopen the government while extending health care subsidies, labeling it a “nonstarter.” The federal government has been partially closed for 38 days as negotiations remain at an impasse.
