FAA to Reduce Flight Capacity by 10% Nationwide Amid Ongoing Shutdown Pressures

WASHINGTON, D.C. — (November 8, 2025) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will reduce flight capacity by up to 10% at 40 major U.S. airports, a decision that could cut thousands of flights per day beginning Friday morning, according to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

During a press conference Wednesday, Bedford said the move was made to “keep the airspace as safe as possible” as staffing pressures intensify amid the prolonged government shutdown.

“This is not about lighter-traveled locations,” Bedford explained. “This is about where the pressure is — and how to properly deviate that pressure to protect safety.”

News Blend 360 has obtained the preliminary list of affected airports, which includes Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, Boston Logan, Chicago O’Hare, and all three New York City–area airports, among others. Officials said the restrictions could begin as early as Thursday, with capacity reductions starting at 4% and increasing to 10% during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A source familiar with the FAA’s internal planning told News Blend 360 that international flights will be exempt from the cuts, and a finalized FAA order outlining the specific reductions is expected Thursday.

The move follows remarks earlier this week from Secretary Duffy, who warned that parts of U.S. airspace could face full shutdowns next week if the federal government’s budget impasse continues.

“We will delay, we will cancel — whatever it takes — to make sure people are safe,” Duffy said Wednesday, emphasizing that the action was “a proactive step to reduce the risk profile in the national airspace.”

FAA officials confirmed that flight schedule reductions will be proportionate across airlines, taking into account carriers that already operate limited or less-than-daily services. Bedford noted that while “there’s no perfect solution,” the measure is necessary to prevent any degradation of safety conditions.

“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to manifest itself,” Bedford said. “The system is extremely safe today — and it will be extremely safe tomorrow.”

Airlines and industry leaders responded swiftly to the announcement. Airlines for America, the trade association representing major U.S. carriers, released a statement saying it is “working with the federal government to understand all details of the new reduction mandate” and pledged to “mitigate impacts to passengers and shippers.”

United Airlines also confirmed that its long-haul international and hub-to-hub routes will not be affected by the restrictions. The airline said customers on impacted domestic flights — including those holding basic economy or nonrefundable tickets — will be eligible for full refunds and real-time notifications via its app and email system.

The decision marks an unprecedented move for the FAA and Department of Transportation. Bedford, a 35-year veteran of the agency, said he has “never seen this happen before” in his career.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told News Blend 360 that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the FAA’s flight reduction plan and is monitoring the situation closely.

As the nation’s air traffic system braces for major disruptions heading into the weekend, passengers are urged to check flight status updates frequently and plan for potential delays or cancellations.

Full list of airports that will see cuts:

• Anchorage International

• Baltimore/Washington International

• Boston-Logan International

• Charlotte Douglas International

• Chicago Midway International

• Chicago O'Hare International

• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International

• Dallas-Fort Worth International

• Dallas Love Field

• Denver International

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County

• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International

• George Bush Houston Intercontinental

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

• Honolulu International

• Houston Hobby

• Indianapolis International

• Las Vegas Harry Reid International

• Los Angeles International

• Louisville Muhammad Ali International

• Memphis International

• Miami International

• Minneapolis-Saint Paul International

• New York LaGuardia

• New York John F. Kennedy International

• Newark Liberty International

• Oakland San Francisco Bay International

• Ontario International

• Orlando International

• Philadelphia International

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International

• Portland International

• Ronald Reagan Washington National

• San Diego International

• Salt Lake City International

• San Francisco International

• Seattle-Tacoma International

• Tampa International

• Teterboro

• Washington Dulles International

Stay with News Blend 360 for continuous updates, live coverage, and the full list of affected airports once the FAA releases its final order.