US to Cut Flight Operations by 10% at 40 Major Airports as Shutdown Disrupts Aviation System

Washington, Nov 2025 : In an unprecedented move prompted by mounting pressure on the nation’s aviation system, the US government will impose a 10 per cent reduction in flight operations at 40 major airports beginning Friday morning. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the decision on Wednesday as the federal government shutdown entered its 36th day—now the longest in American history.

The reduction will affect an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 flights daily, covering both passenger and cargo services. While officials have not yet released the list of affected airports, the Transportation Department said further details are expected on Thursday.

Calling the decision “proactive,” Duffy told reporters the measure has no specified end date. “We thought 10 per cent was the right number based on the pressure we were seeing,” he said. The Secretary had warned a day earlier that the aviation system could face “chaos” next week if the shutdown continues without resolution.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the move was essential to preserve safety amid severe staffing shortages resulting from the prolonged shutdown. Thousands of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners are working without pay, leading to absences, fatigue and heightened operational stress.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said internal data revealed worrying trends. “As we slice the data more granularly, we are seeing pressures build in a way that we don’t feel—if we allow it to go unchecked—will allow us to continue to tell the public that we operate the safest airline system in the world,” he explained.

Air traffic controllers, classified as essential personnel, must continue reporting for duty even though they are not being paid. Many have been working extended hours to compensate for colleagues unable to report due to financial strain or burnout, conditions that aviation safety experts warn could compromise performance.

The 10 per cent nationwide cut in scheduled flight capacity represents an extraordinary measure never before taken during a government shutdown, underscoring the depth of the crisis confronting the FAA. Officials said the decision was made reluctantly but was necessary to protect both the travelling public and the integrity of the airspace system.

The reduction is expected to lead to longer delays, more cancellations, and widespread disruptions across the country. The timing is especially concerning as the United States approaches the Thanksgiving travel period, one of the busiest weeks of the year. Last weekend, airports already saw a surge in delays, with more than 5,000 flights affected on Sunday alone.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing major US carriers, said it is in communication with government officials to assess the implications of the mandate. In a statement, the group said it would work to “minimise the impact on passengers and shippers” while balancing safety requirements.

Despite the measures, the FAA reiterated that US airspace remains safe and fully operational. However, the agency warned that continued staffing shortages could force additional restrictions if the shutdown persists. Officials urged Congress and the White House to resolve the funding impasse swiftly, noting that the aviation system cannot sustain prolonged strain.

As the shutdown stretches on with no clear political breakthrough, the aviation sector—one of the most critical pillars of national infrastructure—now faces cascading challenges that could intensify in the days ahead.