The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Wednesday that it would cut 10% of air traffic at 40 of the country’s busiest airports beginning Friday, a move that could lead to the cancellation of thousands of flights nationwide.

The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce flights at dozens of major airports as early as Friday if no shutdown deal is reached, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced at a news conference Wednesday.

On Thursday afternoon, long security lines stretched through the terminal; lines that airport staff said look more like early morning crowds than midday traffic.

As the government shutdown continues, causing flight delays and prompting an unprecedented move by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide, the security gates at San Francisco International Airport remain intact.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it would reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the shutdown.

N.Y., said on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, that the current staffing problems at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may be linked to recent layoffs.

On Friday, Federal Aviation Adminsitration restrictions on air traffic at 40 major airports – including BWI Marshall, Dulles, and Reagan National – will go into