The Federal Aviation Administration plan to trim air traffic on Friday as the U.S. government’s partial shutdown lingers is surfacing even as Bay Area airports are chasing a sustained rebound in passenger trips.
The Federal Aviation Administration plan to trim air traffic on Friday as a U.S. government shutdown lingers is surfacing at a time when Bay Area airports are chasing a sustained rebound in passenger trips.
In changes that will affect two major airports in the region, FAA officials intend to reduce air traffic by 10% in the coming days at 40 high-traffic aviation hubs as a way to ensure safe operations due to air traffic controller staffing shortages.
Reuters reported on Thursday that a 4% reduction was expected to begin Friday, increase to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and then up to the 10% goal by sometime next week.
In the Bay Area, the reduction could impact San Francisco International Airport and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, according to multiple news organizations.
“The Federal Aviation Administration has not formally indicated whether Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport will be included among the airports that may experience passenger service cuts,” said Kaley Skantz, a spokesperson for the East Bay aviation hub.
Similarly, San Francisco International Airport was awaiting word of a potential reduction.
“Ultimately each airline will determine how to comply with the order, and we know they will make every effort to proactively notify their affected customers,” San Francisco Airport spokesperson Doug Yakel said.
