LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce air traffic by 10% at 40 high-volume airports beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.
Harry Reid International Airport is reportedly among the impacted airports, according to a major news network. The airport ranks in the top 10 busiest in the country with more than 58 million passengers last year.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the government shutdown began Oct. 1. Some controllers have called out of work, creating staffing shortages during shifts that have led to flight delays at airports nationwide.
Timing concerns for Las Vegas travel
The flight cuts come during what are typically busy weeks for Reid Airport. Planes from around the world will fly in for Formula 1 races in two weeks, followed by the Thanksgiving holiday the week after.
The automotive trade show SEMA, one of Las Vegas’ biggest annual convention events bringing in more than 100,000 people, is currently underway and ends Friday — the same day flight disruptions are scheduled to begin.
Safety concerns drive decision
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the FAA will not wait for a crisis to act amid growing staffing pressures.
“You will see mass chaos, you will see mass flight delays, you’ll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace because we just cannot manage it because we don’t have the air traffic controllers,” Duffy said.
The FAA says their official list of the 40 impacted airports will be released Thursday. The restrictions will remain in place as long as necessary.
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