Shutdown could reduce US flights 'to a trickle', transport secretary warns

November 9, 2025

The US government shutdown has entered its 40th day, causing significant disruptions to air travel with approximately 1,400 flights cancelled and 2,700 delayed as unpaid air traffic controllers call out fatigued. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that air travel could be reduced to minimal levels if the shutdown persists, potentially preventing travelers from reaching their destinations for Thanksgiving. The Federal Aviation Administration plans to reduce air travel capacity by up to 10% at major airports, while hundreds of thousands of federal workers remain unpaid and food assistance programs are affected.

Who is affected

Air travelers (experiencing cancellations and delays)
Air traffic controllers (not being paid, reporting fatigue)
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers (not being paid since October 1)
Low-income Americans (food assistance in limbo, receiving only half of monthly benefits)
Travelers planning Thanksgiving trips later this month
Americans needing medical trips

What action is being taken

Lawmakers are working on a possible deal to reach a compromise on government funding
The Senate is convening in a rare weekend session on Sunday
The FAA is reducing air travel capacity by up to 6% this weekend and 10% by next weekend at 40 of the nation's busiest airports
Republican senators are working on a compromise package
The administration is paying half of monthly food assistance benefits

Why it matters

This is the longest government shutdown in US history at 40 days, creating cascading consequences across critical sectors. The shutdown threatens essential air travel infrastructure during a major holiday period when millions of Americans need to travel, and it leaves air traffic controllers working without pay while fatigued, raising safety concerns. The situation demonstrates how political gridlock can directly impact everyday Americans' ability to travel, access food assistance, and receive government services, with potentially severe consequences if lawmakers cannot reach agreement soon.

What's next

A vote to advance compromise legislation is possibly coming on Sunday
If the shutdown continues, air travel will be further reduced with capacity cuts reaching 10% by next weekend
Transportation Secretary warns that continued shutdown could prevent Thanksgiving travelers from flying home later this month

Read full article from source: BBC