US airline traffic cuts are set to take effect at 40 major airports if the federal government shutdown continues, officials said. The reductions aim to ease stress on air traffic controllers working without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the measure Wednesday, citing concerns over staff fatigue and safety. The cuts will affect passenger, cargo, and private flights. Officials said the list of affected airports, expected to include the nation’s busiest hubs such as New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas, would be released Thursday. The reduction plan is gradual. It will start at 4% on Friday, rise to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and reach 10% next week. International flights are initially exempt. Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimates the cuts could remove up to 1,800 flights, impacting over 268,000 seats. Duffy previously warned that parts of US airspace could close if the shutdown, now at a record 36 days, continues. Both he and Bedford emphasized that the action is safety-driven, not political. “Air traffic is operating safely, but we are seeing signs of fatigue that could impact safety if not addressed,” Bedford said. “We want to maintain the safest airline system in the world.” Duffy highlighted the personal impact on air traffic controllers, many of whom are heads of households. “Losing income brings real-world challenges for bills and families,” he said. The FAA is offering cash bonuses to retiring controllers willing to remain on staff and is increasing recruitment at its academy to ease the shortage. Currently, the agency is short roughly 3,500 positions from its target levels. The shutdown has left an estimated 3,000 controllers absent and at least 11,000 essential workers unpaid. Bedford said the FAA will meet with airline representatives to plan the reductions. Further actions may follow if the shutdown continues and passenger safety is at risk. However, officials did not provide specifics on how the cuts would affect routes or ensure smooth implementation. The FAA manages over 44,000 flights and 3 million passengers daily. The reductions are expected to worsen flight delays and long security waits, already a problem since the shutdown began. Bedford acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the situation. “In my 35-year career, I have never seen measures like this,” he said. Challenges in the US air traffic system predate the shutdown. A 2023 study found 20 of the 26 most critical airports had staffing below 85% of recommended levels. Past incidents, including communication failures at Newark Liberty and a fatal helicopter-jet collision near Washington DC’s Reagan National Airport, have drawn national attention. The announcement comes just weeks before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Stocks of major US airlines fell about 1% in extended trading following the news. As the shutdown reached its 36th day, Duffy shared the staffing reduction plan on social media, using AI-generated images and attributing blame to congressional Democrats for the ongoing government closure. The gradual 10% traffic cuts aim to protect safety while giving controllers relief from extended periods of unpaid work. Officials stressed that the step is temporary and contingent on the resolution of the shutdown.