Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-11-08 06:52Core Points - The U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the government shutdown continues, airlines may be forced to cut up to 20% of their flights [1][2] - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has instructed airlines to reduce flights by 4% at 40 major airports, with the reduction increasing to 10% by November 14 [1][2] - Flight delays and cancellations have surged, with over 5,300 flights delayed as of Friday evening, and significant disruptions reported at major airports [1][2] Group 1: Government Shutdown Impact - During the record 38-day government shutdown, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security personnel were forced to work without pay, leading to increased absenteeism [2] - The FAA reported that up to 20% to 40% of air traffic controllers were absent on certain days, prompting the need for flight reductions [2][4] Group 2: Airline Responses - American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated that initial flight cuts would not significantly disrupt passengers, but warned that the impact would worsen over time [3][4] - American Airlines canceled 220 flights on Friday, affecting approximately 12,000 passengers, most of whom were rebooked within hours [5] - United Airlines indicated that half of the affected passengers could be rebooked within four hours of their original departure time [6] Group 3: Safety and Operational Measures - The FAA's decision to implement flight reductions was based on safety data, including incidents of aircraft not maintaining separation and ground incursions [7] - The FAA is also limiting space launches and may reduce private jet flights at busy airports by up to 10%, while international flights remain unaffected [7]