US Airlines Prepare For Third Day Of Government-Mandated Flight Cuts

Last Updated:November 09, 2025, 21:28 IST

US shutdown forces FAA to cut flights at 40 airports, causing 1,550 delays and cancellations in cities like Atlanta and New York due to staff shortages.

The Federal Aviation Administration had ordered a 4% reduction in flights at 40 airports across the US, as the government shutdown led to a crippling shortage of air traffic controllers (ATCs). (Photo Credits: X)

As the US government shutdown continued, the mandated flight cuts continued for the third day after rising air traffic control staffing shortages snarled thousands of flights on Saturday.

The Federal Aviation Administration had ordered a 4% reduction in flights at 40 airports across the US, as the government shutdown led to a crippling shortage of air traffic controllers (ATCs).

Following this, major airlines in the US began cancelling more than 800 flights.

Reuters quoted the FAA as saying on Saturday that there were air traffic control staffing shortages impacting 42 airport towers and other centers and delaying flights in at least 12 major US cities including Atlanta, Newark, San Francisco, Chicago and New York.

About 1,550 flights were canceled and 6,700 flights were delayed on Saturday.

CNN quoted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as saying that he believes air travel will be “reduced to a trickle" ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“The two weeks before Thanksgiving, you’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle. We have a number of people who want to get home for the holidays, they want to see their family, they want to celebrate this great American holiday," Duffy told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union."

He further said: “Listen, many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane, because there are not going to be that many flights that fly if (the government) doesn’t open back up."

According to airline officials, the delays were making it impossible to schedule many flights.

The cuts, which began on Friday morning, include about 700 flights from the four largest carriers: American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab, Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), opens new tab, Southwest Airlines (LUV.N), opens new tab and United Airlines (UAL.O), Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Ted Cruz said he was informed by the FAA that since the shutdown several pilots more than 500 safety reports about mistakes made by air traffic controllers because of fatigue.

Since the shutdown came into force on October 1, the Trump administration has slashed jobs in education, health and other areas that were supported by Democrats. The White House has announced one reduction in force affecting 4,100 workers, with the biggest cuts happening at the departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, Education and Housing and Urban Development.

News world US Airlines Prepare For Third Day Of Government-Mandated Flight Cuts

Read More