US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Wednesday that flight schedules at 40 major airports will be slashed by 10% starting Friday unless Congress ends the historic 36-day government shutdown. The drastic measure, aimed at easing strain on unpaid air traffic controllers and TSA agents, could cancel up to 1,800 daily flights and strand 268,000 passengers, per aviation firm Cirium. Duffy described it as a tough "gut check" to prioritize safety amid worsening staff shortages that have already triggered over 2,100 delays on Wednesday alone.

The shutdown, the longest in US history since starting October 1, has left 13,000 controllers and 50,000 screeners working without pay, leading to 20-40% no-show rates at key facilities. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford warned of "mass chaos" if unresolved, with potential for further restrictions beyond Friday. The cuts target the 30 busiest hubs, including those in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas, sparing international routes but hitting domestic and regional travel hardest. Airlines like Delta and United, notified just hours before the reveal, scrambled to adjust.

Airlines for America, representing majors like American and Southwest, vowed to "mitigate impacts" on travelers and cargo but expressed frustration over the short notice. A late Wednesday FAA call with carriers outlined pro-rata reductions, starting at 4% Friday and ramping to 10% next week. The industry estimates 3.2 million passengers affected so far, with stocks dipping 1% in after-hours trading. Bedrock of the aviation system under siege, the move underscores how partisan gridlock—Democrats demanding health subsidies, Republicans refusing—ripples into everyday life.

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The broader fallout includes furloughs for 750,000 federal workers, halted food aid for low-income families, and shuttered services nationwide. President Trump's administration ramps up pressure on Democrats, framing the shutdown as their fault while highlighting aviation risks. Duffy also curbed space launches to specific windows, signaling wider disruptions. With controllers taking second jobs or calling in sick, safety hangs in the balance.

As holiday travel peaks, urgent calls mount for a funding deal, with airlines lobbying lawmakers directly. The FAA's unprecedented action—unseen in Bedford's 35-year career—serves as a stark warning: without resolution, the skies could ground to a halt, turning a budget brawl into a national travel nightmare.

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