The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a 10% reduction in scheduled flights at 40 major U.S. airports starting November 7, a move that could disrupt air cargo flows during the critical peak shipping season.

The cuts stem from an ongoing federal government shutdown that has left air traffic controllers unpaid and understaffed. The FAA, currently short more than 2,000 controllers, cited safety concerns as the reason for the temporary reduction in air traffic volume.

While the FAA says the cuts are aimed at easing pressure on air traffic control facilities, logistics experts warn that the timing could strain freight networks already operating near capacity especially at the busiest time of year for air cargo.

Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association (AfA) said belly cargo space will be affected and warned that the FAA announcement will deepen the disruption already being felt across the aviation sector as the federal government shutdown enters its 37th day.

"Air cargo depends on every part of the aviation ecosystem working in sync," Fried said. "When capacity is cut and federal employees are stretched thin, the supply chain slows, and the longer this shutdown continues, the worse it will get."

The 40 impacted airports include key cargo hubs such as Memphis International (MEM), FedEx's global superhub; Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF), UPS Worldport; Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) – DHL's North American hub;  Chicago O’Hare (ORD); Los Angeles International (LAX); Newark Liberty (EWR), JFK, and LaGuardia (LGA); Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL); Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW); and Miami International (MIA) – the top U.S. airport for international freight tonnage, especially to Latin America.

Other affected airports include Denver (DEN), Phoenix (PHX), Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington Dulles (IAD), all of which support a mix of dedicated freighters and belly cargo operations.

Although the FAA describes the reductions as temporary and subject to review as staffing levels recover, cargo operators are preparing for potential delays and logistical adjustments.

Some shippers have already begun diverting freight to alternate airports or shifting to ground transport to sidestep anticipated congestion.