Transportation Secretary Floats Flight Reductions of up to 20 Percent If Shutdown Continues

The warning comes as federal officials cut flights at major US airports on Friday

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announces actions against states for failing to enforce English language requirements for commercial drivers during a press conference at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., U.S., on August 26, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

U.S. flight reductions could escalate to as much as 20 percent if the government shutdown persists, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday.

Duffy answered a question about the shutdown and travel at an event hosted by Breitbart News, saying, “You might see 10 percent would have been a good number, because we might go to 15 percent or 20 percent.” Duffy later told The Hill that he was speaking theoretically.