Port of Seattle
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday that air traffic will be reduced by 10% beginning Friday at 40 of the busiest airports across the United States, a list that includes Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The measure, reported by CBS News, comes amid an ongoing government shutdown and growing strain on the nation’s air traffic control system.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a Wednesday press conference that the FAA is taking “proactive” steps to “keep the airspace safe” during the shutdown, which has become the longest in U.S. history.
The FAA’s move comes just weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday — traditionally the busiest travel period of the year — and is expected to cause flight disruptions at major airports nationwide. The list of affected airports includes New York’s John F. Kennedy International, Chicago O’Hare International, Los Angeles International, and Seattle-Tacoma International.
According to CBS News, the decision was driven by staffing pressures as air traffic controllers continue to work without pay during the shutdown. Some controllers have reportedly called in sick or sought other employment.
In an interview on Fox & Friends Thursday morning, Duffy explained, “We receive increased pressure in these 40 markets, and we looked at the data — this is data-driven — and so taking 10% of the flights out will reduce that pressure.”
Duffy added that the move may actually improve flight performance:
“We had massive delays at Newark early in the summer, and we reduced the capacity at Newark, and all the flights flew on time. There were no more delays,” he said. “I can’t guarantee that’s the case here, but I’m hopeful that we’re going to have more on-time flights, less cancellations.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the reduction was necessary after signs of fatigue appeared among air traffic controllers working without pay.
“We do recognize that the controllers have been working fastidiously for the last five weeks with this huge burden over their heads [from] lack of compensation,” Bedford said. “We are starting to see some evidence that fatigue is starting to build in the system in ways we feel we need to work toward relieving some of that pressure.”
Bedford stressed that safety remains the FAA’s top priority.
“Our primary mission at the FAA is to manage airspace in the safest manner possible,” he said. “That is our only focus.”
Officials with the Port of Seattle, which oversees SEA, have not yet commented on how the reduction will specifically affect flight schedules at the airport. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updated information.
For a full list of airport affected by these reductions:
- Anchorage International (ANC)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Boston Logan International (BOS)
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
- Dallas Love (DAL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
- Newark Liberty International (EWR)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
- Honolulu International (HNL)
- Houston Hobby (HOU)
- Washington Dulles International (IAD)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Indianapolis International (IND)
- New York John F Kennedy International (JFK)
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS)
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Orlando International (MCO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Memphis International (MEM)
- Miami International (MIA)
- Minneapolis/St Paul International (MSP)
- Oakland International (OAK)
- Ontario International (ONT)
- Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
- Portland International (PDX)
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
- San Diego International (SAN)
- Louisville International (SDF)
- Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA)
- San Francisco International (SFO)
- Salt Lake City International (SLC)
- Teterboro (TEB)
- Tampa International (TPA
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