Archive · 10 Nov 2025
US Airlines Cancel Over 2,000 Flights Amidst Government Shutdown
Imagine the people who help airplanes fly safely in the sky are not getting paid because the government is not working.
Because they aren't getting paid, some of them are not coming to work, which makes it hard for airplanes to take off and land.
This has caused many flights to be canceled or delayed, making it difficult for people to travel.
The government has had to reduce the number of flights allowed at busy airports to keep things safe.
The person in charge of transportation warned that if this continues, it could become very hard for people to travel, especially for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Some people think the airlines are using this as an excuse, but the government official says it's a safety issue because there are too many close calls.
This problem has been going on for a while, but the shutdown made it much worse.
US airlines canceled over 2,100 flights on Sunday, the highest number since the government shutdown began affecting aviation.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air traffic could significantly decrease, potentially slowing to a trickle if the shutdown continues into the Thanksgiving travel season.
The FAA has implemented flight cuts at 40 of the busiest airports due to unpaid air traffic controllers increasingly not showing up for work.
Airlines reported over 7,000 flight delays on Sunday and more than 1,500 on Saturday, with over 1,000 cancellations on Friday.
Airlines for America stated that controller shortages accounted for 71% of delay time, disrupting travel for over 4 million passengers between October 1 and November 7.
- Who
- US airlines, FAA, air traffic controllers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Airlines for America, travelers
- What
- A significant increase in flight cancellations and delays, impacting 40 of the nation's busiest airports due to a shortage of air traffic controllers during a government shutdown.
- When
- Sunday, with disruptions occurring since Friday and projected to worsen towards the Thanksgiving holiday.
- Where
- Across the United States, affecting major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson (Atlanta) and Newark Liberty International.
- Why
- The federal government shutdown has led to unpaid air traffic controllers not showing up for work, exacerbating existing staffing shortages and leading to FAA-ordered flight reductions.
Transportation Secretary Duffy's Stance
Airlines for America's Claims
Cause of Flight Disruptions
Transportation Secretary Duffy's Stance
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that flight cancellations and delays are due to an increasing number of near-misses from an overtaxed system caused by air traffic controllers not showing up for work because they are unpaid.
Airlines for America's Claims
Airlines for America, a trade group representing US carriers, stated that staffing issues accounted for 71% of the total delay time and that controller shortages have disrupted travel for over 4 million passengers since October 1.
Severity of Future Disruptions
Transportation Secretary Duffy's Stance
Duffy warned that air traffic could 'slow to a trickle' and might require additional flight cuts, possibly up to 20%, if the shutdown continues into the Thanksgiving holiday season.
Airlines for America's Claims
The article mentions that between October 1 and November 7, controller shortages have already disrupted travel for more than 4 million passengers. The trade group highlights that Saturday saw over 3,000 hours of delays due to staffing issues.
- Flight Cancellations (Sunday)
- Over 2,100
- Flight Delays (Sunday)
- At least 7,000
- Flight Cancellations (Saturday)
- Over 1,500
- Flight Cancellations (Friday)
- More than 1,000
- Affected Airports
- 40 of the nation's busiest airports
- FAA Cutbacks
- Started at 4% on Friday, plans to increase to 10% by November 14
- Worst Affected Airport (Sunday)
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (Atlanta) with over 570 cancellations
- Impact on Passengers (Oct 1 - Nov 7)
- Over 4 million disrupted by controller shortages
Sources
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