U.S. Air Travel Disrupted as Shutdown Forces Massive Flight Cancellations and Staffing Crisis

Washington, Nov 2025 — The nationwide air travel system came under severe strain on Friday as the ongoing U.S. government shutdown triggered widespread flight cancellations, staffing shortages, and mounting delays across airports. With no resolution in sight, officials warned that disruptions could worsen rapidly in the days ahead.

By midday, at least 780 flights — roughly 3 percent of the 25,000 scheduled nationwide — had been canceled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The cancellations reflect a growing crisis as thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers, continue working without pay or remain furloughed.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that the situation could deteriorate dramatically before the Thanksgiving holiday, historically one of the busiest travel periods in the United States.

“If this continues, and more controllers are forced to leave work to support their families, the current 10 percent reduction might soon look optimistic,” Duffy warned in an interview with Fox News. “We may see 15 to 20 percent cuts in operations. This is a moment-by-moment assessment.”

Air traffic controllers — classified as essential workers — must continue their duties despite receiving no paychecks for nearly six weeks. The pressure of unpaid labor has pushed many to call in sick, seek temporary work elsewhere, or exit the field altogether.

In response, the Department of Transportation has activated a tiered flight-reduction plan, raising mandatory cuts to 6 percent on Tuesday, 8 percent on Thursday, and 10 percent next Friday.

Major U.S. airlines have already begun scaling down operations. American Airlines expects to cancel about 220 flights daily through the weekend, while Delta has canceled 173 flights and United 184.

The impact was especially visible at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported average wait times of four hours on Friday. Long lines snaked through terminals as passengers scrambled to adjust itineraries. Delays rippled outward to hub airports in Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Newark.

Airport authorities urged travelers to monitor flight status frequently, arrive early, and prepare for protracted delays. With Thanksgiving approaching, aviation experts warn of a prolonged period of instability.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 flights were canceled on Friday alone, as the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease the workload on unpaid controllers. The administration has repeatedly emphasized that flying remains safe, insisting that the FAA’s measures ensure operations remain tightly controlled.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after,” Duffy said in a social-media post, “because of the proactive actions we are taking.”

But many within the profession dispute that assurance. Union representatives say the shutdown is pushing aviation workers — already in high-stress roles — beyond their limits.

The shutdown, now approaching its sixth week, stems from a political deadlock between Republicans and Democrats, particularly over healthcare subsidy disputes. Federal agencies have slowed to a crawl as hundreds of thousands of workers remain unpaid.

As Congress continues to negotiate, travelers face the possibility of a deeply disrupted holiday season. With cancellations mounting and delays worsening, the shutdown threatens to inflict long-lasting damage on the nation’s aviation infrastructure and workforce.

Team Maverick