Up First from NPR FAA Cuts Flights, SNAP Ruling, Trump Focused Abroad
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Nov 7, 2025 
Joel Rose, NPR transportation correspondent, discusses the FAA's directive for airlines to cut flights by 10% amid staffing issues caused by a government shutdown. Tovia Smith, covering SNAP benefits, highlights a court ruling that orders the restoration of food assistance, emphasizing the political pressures at play. Franco Ordoñez, White House correspondent, reports on Trump's international diplomacy, including a meeting with Hungary's Viktor Orbán, while critics urge him to refocus on domestic economic issues.
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Nationwide Flight Reductions For Safety
- The FAA ordered a phased 10% cut in domestic flights across 40 major airports to address controller shortages during the shutdown.
- The reductions mirror a medium-sized storm's impact but are unprecedented in scope and could cause cascading disruptions.
Traveler Fear Over Cancellations
- Travelers expressed worry about canceled flights disrupting work and dependent travel plans, as in Ellen Silva's case in Atlanta.
- Passengers worry cancellations would cause missed work and ripple effects for others who rely on them.
Shutdown Strains Air Traffic Staffing
- The shutdown forced controllers to work without pay, increasing sick calls and second jobs and straining staffing at multiple facilities simultaneously.
- Critics say the FAA move could be partly political, meaning safety and politics may both be factors.