As the federal government shutdown extends into its second day, air travel in the United States has been significantly impacted, with over 1,400 flights cancelled on Saturday alone. This disruption follows an announcement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this week, which directed airlines to reduce their flight traffic by up to 10% across 40 major airports due to reports of air traffic controller fatigue.
Flight tracker FlightAware reported nearly 6,000 additional flights were delayed on Saturday, a decrease from the more than 7,000 delays experienced the previous day. The shutdown, which began on October 1, marks the longest in U.S. history, now entering its 39th day, with no resolution in sight as Congress remains divided along party lines.
Significant delays and cancellations at major airports
Airlines and travelers are feeling the pressure as the government impasse continues. On Saturday, American Airlines issued a plea for an immediate resolution from Washington, D.C., stating that the ongoing shutdown is causing widespread disruptions. Newark Liberty International Airport reported some of the longest wait times, with arrivals experiencing delays averaging over four hours, while departures were delayed by approximately 1.5 hours.
The airports most affected by cancellations on Saturday included Charlotte/Douglas International, Newark Liberty, and Chicago O’Hare International. Additional delays were reported for flights heading to John F. Kennedy International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, and LaGuardia airports, with delays ranging from an hour to nearly three hours.
Impact on holiday travel and safety concerns
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches on November 27, U.S. airports are bracing for one of their busiest travel seasons. The disruption is not limited to commercial flights; restrictions on private jet operations have also been implemented. According to Secretary Duffy, private jets are now being directed to use smaller airports to alleviate congestion at major hubs, allowing air traffic controllers to focus on commercial aviation.
“We’ve reduced their volume at high traffic airports — instead having private jets utilize smaller airports or airfields so busy controllers can focus on commercial aviation,” Duffy wrote. “That’s only fair.”
Looking ahead, the FAA has indicated that the situation may worsen, with planned increases in flight cancellations set to reach the full 10% by November 14. The agency has outlined a gradual increase in reductions, moving from 4% on Friday to 6% by November 11, and 8% by November 13. These cuts have raised concerns about safety, as many air traffic controllers, who are considered essential workers, continue to work without pay. Reports indicate that some have opted to take sick leave or find secondary jobs to meet their financial needs during the shutdown.
Moreover, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is also affected, with 64,000 agents working without compensation during the shutdown. Historical data from the previous government shutdown in 2018 revealed that up to 10% of TSA staff chose not to report to work rather than work without pay, raising additional concerns about security and operational efficiency during this critical time.