The United States is bracing for significant disruptions in air travel as the longest government shutdown in history continues to cripple federal operations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a 10% reduction in flight capacity across 40 high-traffic air traffic areas, effective Friday. Major airports in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York City are expected to bear the brunt of these cuts. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the reductions, citing staffing shortages due to the ongoing shutdown. Over 60,000 air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are currently working without pay, raising concerns about increased absenteeism and potential chaos at check-in lines. The shutdown, which began after Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, has left 1.4 million federal workers either furloughed or working without compensation. House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that flight delays, initially at 5%, have now surged to over 50%, jeopardizing public safety. The impasse between Democrats and Republicans centers on healthcare spending, with Democrats demanding an extension of expiring insurance subsidies and Republicans insisting on immediate funding approval. Former President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Democrats by threatening mass layoffs and targeting progressive priorities. Amid the crisis, the White House clarified its commitment to partial payments under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), despite earlier threats to cut off aid.