Flight cancellation updates: The FAA flight cuts have hit airports across the US as the shutdown squeezes airports

Flight Cancellation Updates Amid FAA Cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered a 10% reduction in flights as the ongoing government shutdown strains operations at airports across the United States. Airlines have responded by canceling flights at 40 major airports, significantly disrupting passenger travel.

Impact on Travelers and Airlines

Since early October, air traffic controllers have continued to work without pay. As the shutdown enters its second month, more controllers are calling in sick, aggravating existing staff shortages. This crisis forced the FAA to initiate gradual flight reductions — starting at 4% last Friday and scheduled to reach 10% by November 14.

According to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, around 750 flights were already canceled as of 6 a.m. ET on Friday. The cuts primarily affect domestic flights, with key airline hubs experiencing the most severe disruptions.

Industry and Political Context

Air traffic controllers, among the most pressured professionals in the country, now find themselves at the center of Washington's political standoff. The situation echoes memories of 2019, when a mass sick-out during the last major shutdown led to nationwide airport chaos.

“In 2019, controllers calling out sick prompted the temporary closure of New York’s LaGuardia Airport,” a reminder that airport slowdowns can exert political pressure in Washington.

The FAA’s flight cut order underscores how deeply the current shutdown is affecting critical infrastructure and the traveling public alike.

Author’s Summary

The prolonged U.S. government shutdown has triggered an FAA-ordered flight reduction, straining air travel nationwide and reviving concerns about staffing and safety.

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Insider Insider — 2025-11-07

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