Reducing air travel capacity at 40 airports is 'data-driven' decision, Duffy says

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FAA to cut flights as shutdown pushes aviation system into ‘uncharted territory’: Sec. Duffy

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joins Fox & Friends to discuss the Federal Aviation Administration’s 10% flight reduction plan, air traffic controller shortages, and how the prolonged government shutdown could disrupt holiday travel nationwide.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told "Fox & Friends" on Thursday that the decision to limit air travel capacity to 40 airports was "data-driven."

"We were seeing increased pressure in these 40 markets. And we looked at the data — this was data driven — and so taking 10% of the flights out will reduce that pressure, which is what we want to do," Duffy said.

"Now, does that mean there's going to be no delays? No, Brian," Duffy told Fox News' Brian Kilmeade. "There's potentially still going to be delays if we have staffing triggers, and we don't have enough controllers in an aerospace where we did cut 10%, you might see additional delays."

FLIGHT DELAYS WORSEN AS UNPAID AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS FEEL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN PAIN

Travelers look at the flight information display system at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

As of 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, 825 flights within, into or out of the U.S. had been delayed while 42 had been canceled, according to FlightAware.com. 

When asked about whether Americans should consider canceling their holiday plans, Duffy said it was "hard to predict" what could happen in the coming weeks, pointing to the historically long government shutdown.

"As we come into Thanksgiving, if we're still in the shutdown posture, it's going to be rough out there. Really rough. And we'll mitigate the safety side, but will you fly on time? Will your flight actually go? That is yet to be seen, but there'll be more disruption," Duffy said.

However, the transportation secretary said that Americans should still book their holiday travel if they see deals they want to grab. He added that he has already booked travel for his children to come home for the holidays.

SEAN DUFFY FIRES BACK AFTER GAVIN NEWSOM BLAMES TRUMP FOR SHUTDOWN, TRAVEL DELAYS

Travelers arrive at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay citing staffing shortages in Southern California's airspace, causing flight delays at LAX.  (Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

"We're going to have to all work together as the American people to navigate this really not great situation that I think Democrats in the Senate are putting on the American people with the shutdown," Duffy added.

When asked about post-shutdown recovery, Duffy said it would "take us some time to staff back up" and that the decision would be "data-driven." He suggested that it could start by going from a 10% reduction to a 5% and then dropping the number further until normal air travel rates resume.

Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Dallas, Texas. (Getty Images)

Duffy, who previously served in Congress, hopes that lawmakers will act fast to get the government reopened and Americans back to traveling at normal rates.

"I can't find dollars to pay them because, the Congress said there is no money. And so, we can't break the law, and so I can't. I can't pay them. I'd love to, but I can't. And so, the message is, sit down, figure this out, open the government up, and, you know, let's not hold Americans hostage, especially when they want to travel," Duffy said.

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Despite having harsh words for lawmakers, Duffy praised air traffic controllers, saying they were "doing a great job showing up" to work when compared to other shutdowns, despite missing payments.