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D.C. Air Travel Collapses Under Trump’s Shutdown

November 6, 2025

The ongoing government shutdown has forced the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flight operations by approximately 10% at three major Washington, D.C.-area airports due to critical staffing shortages among unpaid air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the cuts as a safety measure, citing controller fatigue and financial hardship as thousands of essential aviation workers have gone without paychecks for over a month. The timing is particularly problematic as the reduction coincides with the busy holiday travel season beginning before Thanksgiving, guaranteeing significant disruptions for travelers.

Who is affected

  • Air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and aviation support staff working without pay
  • Millions of Americans losing SNAP benefits
  • Thousands of federal workers in Washington, D.C.
  • Travelers using Reagan National, Dulles International, and Baltimore-Washington International airports
  • United Airlines passengers on domestic routes serving D.C. and nearby cities
  • Furloughed workers struggling financially in the Washington region
  • Residents of Prince George's County

What action is being taken

  • The FAA is cutting approximately 10% of flights at three Washington-area airports
  • Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are continuing to work without pay
  • United Airlines is notifying travelers and canceling flights
  • Prince George's County is providing $1 million in emergency funds for furloughed workers
  • Essential workers are handing out flyers at Reagan National Airport describing themselves as unpaid controllers

Why it matters

  • This situation represents a critical threat to aviation safety and national infrastructure as unpaid workers face increasing fatigue and financial strain while managing air traffic and security operations. The shutdown is creating economic paralysis in the nation's capital, which depends heavily on federal operations, while simultaneously disrupting one of the country's busiest travel corridors during peak holiday season. The bomb threat incident demonstrated how vulnerable airport security has become when essential personnel operate under extreme stress without compensation, potentially compromising public safety systems that require full attention and support.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer