U.S. Air Traffic Cut by 10% as Transportation Secretary Orders Nationwide Reduction

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a 10% reduction in national air traffic, citing staffing shortages, safety concerns, and the need to stabilize operations amid growing strain on the aviation system. The decision, revealed by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, will affect both commercial and cargo flights across major airports in the coming weeks.

According to the department, the measure is intended to “maintain safety and efficiency in the face of operational challenges,” as air traffic controllers and airline personnel continue to face mounting pressure from high travel demand and limited workforce capacity. The reduction will be implemented gradually, with priority given to essential routes and emergency transport.

Secretary Buttigieg emphasized that the move is temporary but necessary to prevent larger disruptions during the busy travel season. “The safety of passengers and crew must always come first,” he said. “This step will allow the system to operate more reliably while we address staffing and technical shortfalls.”

The order follows months of turbulence within the U.S. aviation industry, marked by delayed flights, extended maintenance backlogs, and controller fatigue reports. Several major airports — including those in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles — have experienced bottlenecks due to a shortage of qualified personnel and outdated radar systems.

Airlines have been instructed to adjust their schedules and coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to minimize passenger inconvenience. Many carriers are expected to consolidate flights, reschedule less profitable routes, and expand larger aircraft capacity to compensate for reduced flight frequencies.

The announcement has received mixed reactions. Aviation unions have welcomed the move as a proactive measure to reduce burnout among controllers and pilots, while industry groups warn that fewer flights could push up ticket prices and create logistical challenges ahead of the holiday season.

Analysts say the reduction underscores broader issues within the nation’s aviation infrastructure, which has struggled to keep pace with post-pandemic travel surges. The FAA has launched a nationwide hiring campaign to recruit and train new air traffic controllers, but officials admit it could take years before staffing levels fully recover.

For travelers, the 10% reduction means fewer flight options and potentially longer layovers — but federal officials insist that the sacrifice is essential to preserve the one thing that matters most in the skies: safety.

Author: M.J