Air Traffic Control Struggles: Flights Cut to Keep Skies Safe

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to trim flight schedules by 10% in 40 busy airports starting this Friday. This move aims to keep air travel safe as air traffic controllers face challenges during the ongoing government shutdown. Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since October 1. Many are exhausted from long hours and extra shifts. Some are calling in sick or quitting because they can't afford childcare or gas. This has caused delays at several airports. FAA boss Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy want to act now before things get worse. They don't want to wait for a serious safety issue to happen. They plan to meet with airline bosses to figure out how to reduce flights. Passengers are worried and calling airlines for answers. Southwest Airlines is checking how this will affect their flights. AAA suggests travelers stay updated through airline apps and arrive early at the airport. Weekends have seen the worst staffing shortages. Last weekend, 39 air traffic control facilities reported potential staffing issues. This is much higher than the average before the shutdown. Airlines, unions, and travel groups are pushing Congress to end the shutdown. They fear things could get chaotic if controllers miss their second paycheck. The FAA is taking action now to prevent accidents. They learned from past mistakes and want to avoid any disasters.