Flight cancellations and delays are increasing across the United States due to a 4% reduction in air traffic mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown. If the shutdown continues, the FAA has indicated that airlines will be required to cut 6% of flights on Tuesday, with a potential increase to 10% by November 14. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that flight reductions could ultimately reach 20%, impacting travelers during the holiday season.
The FAA’s flight reduction policy, which began on Friday, aims to alleviate stress on air traffic controllers who have been working without pay due to the shutdown. This situation, now the longest in U.S. history at over 40 days, has reportedly led to concerning staffing shortages, with Duffy noting a gap of 1,000 to 2,000 air traffic controllers. As a result of these cuts, around 800 flights were canceled on the first day, escalating to 1,460 the following day, with over 1,000 additional cancellations reported on Sunday alone.
Airlines are offering full refunds for canceled flights amid the disruptions. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has expressed concerns that the shutdown is exacerbating staffing issues, pointing out that many controllers are overworked and unpaid, which may potentially compromise safety in the National Airspace System.
Calls for the shutdown to end have been echoed by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, who have exchanged blame for the situation. As the shutdown continues, uncertainties remain regarding the impact on air travel, and analysts suggest that the disruptions could extend beyond aviation into broader economic sectors, including retail and tourism. The potential rise in costs for consumers, stemming from increased shipping prices due to reduced air freight capacity, adds further complexity to the situation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/09/flight-cancellations-government-shutdown