The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will reduce airline traffic by 10 percent at 40 locations beginning on Friday, as the ongoing federal government shutdown became the longest in U.S. history, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Wednesday.
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford in Washington D.C., Duffy cited air traffic control safety concerns for the flight cuts, saying that "we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating,"
He said the move will lead to more cancellations, adding that the Department of Transportation will work with the airlines to address any problems in a systematic way.
Bedford said that a 10-percent reduction in scheduled capacity would be appropriate to "continue to take the pressure off of our (air traffic) controllers, and as we continue to see staffing triggers, there will be additional measures that will be taken in those specific markets."
Since the U.S. federal government shutdown began, about 13,000 air traffic controllers and roughly 50,000 airport security officers have been forced to work without pay.
An increasing number of employees have taken leave, leading to acute staffing shortages in the aviation industry, worsening flight delays across many regions, and raising concerns over aviation safety.
Data from the U.S. flight-tracking website FlightAware shows that thousands of flights nationwide are experiencing delays each day. More than 4,000 flights within, into, or out of the United States were delayed on Tuesday, following nearly 5,000 delays on Monday.
US cuts flight capacity by 10 pct at 40 airports amid longest gov't shutdown
The Honghe butterfly valley in southwest China's Yunnan Province is expected to see a 10-year high butterfly boom this year.
As one of the world's richest regions for butterfly species, the butterfly valley in Jinping County sees a massive butterfly emergence every year in late spring and early summer.
From May to June, billions of butterflies emerge and fill the skies above the valley.
Experts estimate this year's butterfly number could be the highest in nearly a decade.
Scientists say such a spectacle is only possible in a healthy ecosystem.
For nearly three decades, local resident Yang Zhenwen has devoted himself to monitoring and protecting the butterflies.
Every day during the emergence season, he serves a special meal to help the tiny creatures replenish their energy: a nutrient solution he developed together with researchers.
"The solution is made mainly from local ingredients, including pineapples, fermented glutinous rice juice and brown sugar. After being boiled together, a small amount of salt is added," said Yang.
Yang regularly patrols the mountains, monitors butterfly habitats, records species data and tracks the growth of host plants.
Recently, over 40 content creators were invited to the county to promote biodiversity conservation through artistic installations and online campaigns. With support from the local government, conservation is also driving rural development.
"We have invited some social organizations. They bring some artists to come here to help our people design butterfly craft products, and also, some professional guides to train our people to become a good tourist guide. I would like to say it's a vivid proof of how human beings and nature can live in harmony," said Liu Xuan, deputy head of Jinping County.
The butterfly valley is drawing in a growing number of tourists.
Butterfly boom forecast to hit 10-year high at butterfly valley in Yunnan
