Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a ‘data-driven’ decision to reduce air travel capacity by 10% at 38 airports across the United States, marking a significant intervention in the nation’s aviation system. The move is part of an effort to address the growing pressures on the transportation network, particularly during the holiday season, and to mitigate the impact of ongoing government shutdowns on air travel operations.
Duffy, who spoke on ‘Fox & Friends’ on Thursday, emphasized that the decision to cut capacity was based on comprehensive data analysis, rather than political considerations. ‘We were seeing increased pressure in these 40 markets. And we looked at the data — this was data driven — and so taking 10% of the flights out will reduce that pressure, which is what we want to do,’ he explained. The reduced capacity aims to prevent system overload, ensuring that the existing air traffic management infrastructure can handle the surge in demand without compromising safety or efficiency.
A significant factor in the decision-making process has been the ongoing government shutdown, which has led to widespread unpaid furloughs among air traffic controllers and other federal workers. According to FlightAware.com, as of 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, 825 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. had been delayed, with 42 flights canceled. These disruptions are compounding the challenges posed by the reduced capacity, raising concerns about the potential for further delays and operational instability.
While Duffy acknowledged that the measures may not eliminate all delays, he insisted that the reduction in capacity is a critical step toward restoring normal operations. ‘There’s potentially still going to be delays if we have staffing triggers, and we don’t have enough controllers in an aerospace where we did cut 10%, you might see additional delays,’ he warned. The transportation secretary also highlighted the broader implications of the shutdown, noting that the decision to cut capacity is a necessary response to the prolonged disruption of federal services.
The administration’s approach has faced scrutiny as lawmakers in the Senate have been criticized for the shutdown’s impact on the public. Duffy, who previously served in Congress, accused Democratic lawmakers of putting the American people ‘on hold’ with the ongoing shutdown. ‘We’re going to have to all work together as the American people to navigate this really not great situation that I think Democrats in the Senate are putting on the American people with the shutdown,’ he added. Despite this frustration, Duffy praised the resilience of air traffic controllers, noting that they are working under challenging circumstances while remaining committed to their duties.
Looking ahead, the transportation secretary expressed hope that the situation would improve once the government is reopened and staffing levels are restored. He suggested that the reduction in capacity could gradually be scaled back as the shutdown is resolved. ‘It would take us some time to staff back up, and the decision will be data-driven,’ he said, indicating that the administration will continue to assess the situation closely. Nevertheless, Duffy urged Americans to consider their travel plans carefully, emphasizing the uncertainties that remain but also acknowledging the need for holiday travel if it aligns with personal and family priorities.