More than 1,400 flights across the United States were cancelled on Saturday as airlines were instructed to reduce operations amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. According to flight tracker FlightAware, nearly 6,000 flights were delayed, down slightly from over 7,000 delays reported on Friday.
Earlier this week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a reduction of up to 10% in air travel capacity at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, citing fatigue among air traffic controllers who have been working without pay since the shutdown began.
The government shutdown, now in its 39th day and the longest in U.S. history, continues as Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over a funding resolution to reopen federal agencies. Senators stayed in Washington over the weekend to continue bipartisan negotiations, as the impact of the shutdown spreads nationwide, including disruptions to food aid programs and flight operations.
In a statement, American Airlines urged political leaders in Washington to “reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown.”
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey reported some of the worst delays, with arrivals averaging over four hours and departures delayed by about 1.5 hours. Other airports heavily affected included Charlotte/Douglas International, Chicago O’Hare International, and Newark Liberty International. Departures from John F. Kennedy International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, and LaGuardia were delayed by nearly three hours, over 2.5 hours, and about one hour, respectively.
The timing couldn’t be worse as the Thanksgiving holiday travel season approaches on November 27, one of the busiest times of the year for U.S. airports.
FAA Secretary Duffy also announced on X (formerly Twitter) that private jet operations at major airports were being restricted to allow controllers to focus on commercial flights. “We’ve reduced their volume at high-traffic airports — instead having private jets use smaller airfields so busy controllers can focus on commercial aviation. That’s only fair,” Duffy wrote.
The FAA plans to gradually increase flight reductions from 4% on Friday to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and the full 10% by November 14. The agency said the cuts were necessary to maintain safety standards as many air traffic controllers face exhaustion.
As essential federal employees, controllers must continue working without pay, and many have called in sick or taken second jobs to make ends meet, according to unions. They are among the 1.4 million federal workers affected by the shutdown, including 64,000 unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents.
During the previous government shutdown under President Donald Trump in 2018, up to 10% of TSA staff stayed home rather than work without pay — a scenario experts warn could happen again if the current standoff continues.
