Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on March 15, 2024, that flight reductions in the United States could increase to as much as 20 percent if the ongoing government shutdown continues. This statement comes as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already started to reduce flights by 10 percent due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.
Duffy made these comments during an event hosted by Breitbart News in Washington, D.C.. He emphasized that should the shutdown persist and more controllers opt for second jobs instead of working, the reduction might escalate beyond the current forecast. “If this continues… we might go to 15 percent or 20 percent,” Duffy stated, though he later clarified to The Hill that he was speaking hypothetically. “There’s no plan for that,” he added, underscoring that decisions would be based on factual assessments of air traffic conditions.
The FAA began implementing flight reductions at 40 airports across the country. Initially, the reductions started at 4 percent on Friday, with plans to increase gradually by 2 percent daily until reaching the anticipated 10 percent cap.
Concerns arose that these reductions could serve as a political tactic to pressure Senate Democrats into passing a Republican-backed, temporary funding bill to reopen the government. Duffy addressed these allegations, stating, “This has not been political. We have worked overtime to make sure that we minimize the impact on the American people.”
Congressional response has varied, with some lawmakers expressing skepticism regarding the FAA’s decisions. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the leading Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, called for the FAA to promptly share safety risk assessments that informed their flight reduction decision. Conversely, Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) supported Duffy’s actions, asserting that the reductions were necessary for public safety.
Duffy urged the Senate to remain in session, highlighting the plight of travelers affected by the shutdown. “There are people going to funerals. There are people who are trying to get home. Why are senators going home?” he questioned, suggesting that lawmakers should prioritize resolving the budget impasse rather than returning to their districts.
In a light-hearted exchange, a Breitbart reporter joked about placing senators on a no-fly list to keep them from leaving Washington. Duffy responded positively, indicating the frustration shared by many regarding the prolonged shutdown. He also asserted that making concessions to reopen the government would be a mistake for Republican lawmakers.
Looking ahead, Duffy acknowledged that restoring normal air traffic operations after the shutdown could take time. He stated, “We’ll look at the data… and then give the airlines time to bring those flights back in.” As the situation develops, the focus remains on maintaining safety in U.S. airspace and addressing the challenges posed by the current government shutdown.
