Duffy Warns Shutdown Could Ground Airline Fleets

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Tuesday that air travel disruptions could escalate dramatically if Congress does not swiftly end the government shutdown, potentially leading airlines to ground their fleets as early as this weekend. Speaking at a news conference at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Duffy declined to provide a timeline for lifting restrictions on flights at 40 major U.S. airports, even as the Senate approved a spending bill on Monday and the House prepared for a vote on Wednesday.

The restrictions, ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration last week, mandate reductions in flight capacity to ease the burden on air traffic controllers facing chronic shortages. The cuts began at 4 percent on Friday and are set to increase incrementally, reaching 6 percent by Tuesday, 8 percent by Thursday, and up to 10 percent by Friday. These measures stem from heightened absences among controllers, who as essential workers have been required to report for duty without pay during the shutdown, now in its sixth week. Many have missed two paychecks, prompting some to retire early, seek temporary outside employment, or call in sick, according to FAA data and...