According to the report, domestic flights at 40 of the country’s busiest airports will be affected as aviation authorities attempt to ease mounting pressure on air traffic controllers. Many controllers have been working without pay, with some reportedly calling in sick or taking side jobs during the shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that flight reductions would begin at around 4% of internal flights, gradually increasing to 10% by the end of next week. However, the US Transportation Secretary has warned that cuts could reach 15% to 20% if the shutdown continues.
Several major airlines, including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have assured passengers that they will receive full refunds for cancelled flights.
The situation has caused widespread disruption across the US aviation network, with industry experts warning that delays and cancellations could worsen if the government shutdown is not resolved soon.
