Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Starting Friday, the number of flights across the nation is going to take a dip.
Boston Logan is among the 40 major airports in the U.S. that will start to experience flight reductions this week. That's not sitting well for travelers like Kaleigh of Woburn.
"Yeah, I think it makes me really nervous, honestly, with everything that's been going on with air travel and the government shutdown," Kaleigh said. "I, you know, don't want to see it impacting anybody's flights. I know this is also a tough time of year for travel."
The government shutdown entered its 37th day on Thursday, marking the longest shutdown of this kind in American history, leaving air traffic controllers without a paycheck for over a month. Roberta from Cambridge knows airports are strained, especially with staffing shortages.
"I mean, the main thing is for it to be safe, and if there's too much traffic, you know, I'd rather feel like when I get on, I'm going to be secure."
Massport says more information will be provided if it starts to see staffing shortages or other issues causing impacts to flight operations. The timing could not be worse for travelers heading out of Logan on Thursday.
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"Nervous to get stuck out there because we're only going for the weekend for a wedding so it's very possible we're going to end up not being able to get back," Susan of Newton said.
"Well I worry about getting back but on the other hand I want it to be safe," Kaleigh said.
Gov. Maura Healey tells WBZ Newsradio that the Trump administration didn't notify her or Massport about the changes.
"We've got 45,000 federal workers here in Massachusetts, many of whom have lost jobs, have filed for unemployment. Huge disruption in services — everything from people who send out social security checks to folks at the airport, air traffic controllers and other workers at the airport who make things go. So it's a terrible situation and it's just all the more reason why government needs to reopen."
Air traffic will first be cut by 4% then eventually 10%.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.