FAA’s Air Traffic Cuts Cause Thousands of Flight Cancellations Across the U.S.
Airlines continue slashing schedules as the federal government shutdown forces widespread disruptions across major airports.
Cancellations Mount Nationwide
Airlines across the United States continue cutting flights as the FAA’s mandatory air traffic reductions enter their fourth consecutive day. More than 1,500 flights into, out of, or within the country are cancelled Monday morning, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.
Major airports including Chicago O’Hare, Chicago Midway, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, LaGuardia, and Newark report the highest number of cancellations and delays. The FAA ordered airlines to reduce schedules by 4% to relieve stress on unpaid air traffic controllers during the government shutdown.
Disruptions Expected to Worsen
The agency plans to increase the reductions to 6% on Tuesday, 8% on Thursday, and 10% by Friday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns that controller shortages are worsening as more staff stop reporting for work amid financial strain.
“It’s only going to get worse,” Duffy told CNN, predicting severe travel slowdowns two weeks before Thanksgiving. He says thousands of Americans will miss holiday travel unless the federal government reopens and operations quickly stabilise.
Travellers Seek Alternatives
Many passengers are cancelling trips early or choosing to drive or take trains to avoid flight uncertainty and cancellations. Car rental company Hertz reports a 20% rise in one-way rentals, reflecting travellers’ growing frustration and shifting travel habits.
Several U.S. airlines, including Southwest, have cancelled hundreds of flights through Wednesday as the disruption continues nationwide. Southwest CEO Bob Jordan urges lawmakers to end the shutdown immediately and stop forcing federal employees to work unpaid.
Political Stalemate Shows Signs of Movement
After weeks of gridlock, Senate Democrats and Republicans appear closer to an agreement that could reopen the federal government soon. Eight Democrats joined Republicans Sunday night, supporting a temporary deal tied to a future healthcare subsidy vote.
The proposal has divided Congress, with some Democrats demanding stronger guarantees before supporting the compromise package. Senator Angus King of Maine says pressure tactics are failing, urging leaders to find consensus and restore government operations immediately.