Duffy said he would order a 10% reduction in flights, but those restrictions would be lifted if the shutdown ends.
The minister explained his “difficult decision” by the need to maintain the safety of air traffic control.
On November 3, Duffy did not rule out that air traffic would have to be closed.
The media notes that the government did not name the airports that will be affected by the restrictions, but it is expected that this will affect, in particular, the airports of New York, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Dallas.
It is expected that the reduction in airport capacity will begin at 4%, increase to 5% by November 8, 6% by November 9, and reach 10% next week, sources told journalists.
Due to the shutdown, which has already become the longest in US history (36 days), 13 thousand air traffic controllers and 50 thousand agents of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are forced to work without salaries, Reuters notes.
According to him, due to a “shortage of air traffic control resources” in the United States, tens of thousands of flights were delayed and at least 3.2 million passengers were affected.
Context
The shutdown in the United States is the first shutdown of the American government in almost seven years and the third under the presidency of Donald Trump. During his first term, the longest shutdown was recorded – more than 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019.
On September 28, the Associated Press wrote that Trump plans to take advantage of the new shutdown for mass layoffs and restructuring of the state apparatus.
The main point of disagreement between party representatives is the Obamacare Affordable Care Act, explained CNN. Democrats are demanding an extension of expanded tax breaks for health insurance, while Republicans believe that this issue should be postponed until the end of the year. The Senate cannot get the required number of votes to exit the shutdown.
According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessentain conditions shutdown US economy Loses up to $15 billion daily.
