US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference outside the West Wing at the White House on October 30. Photo / Demetrius Freeman, The Washington Post
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference outside the West Wing at the White House on October 30. Photo / Demetrius Freeman, The Washington Post
The Trump Administration today announced it will reduce flight traffic by 10% in 40 markets across the United States as part of an effort to ease pressure on air traffic controllers who will miss another pay next week, as the US Government shutdown enters its second month.
Thereductions take effect on Friday local time.
Details about which markets would be affected would be announced later today, Administration officials said.
The move is unprecedented and comes just a few weeks before the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
Already forecasts predict that a record number of American are expected to travel for the holiday.
“There’ll be frustration,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “But in the end, our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible.”
Duffy said the Administration is working with airlines.
Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Editor-in-Chief Murray Kirkness picks the week’s best features, interviews and investigations. Sign up for Herald Premium here.