BLACK mobile logo

california

politics

As Government Shutdown Finally Ends, Flight Delays Continue Into Holiday Season

November 25, 2025

A 43-day government shutdown caused severe disruptions to air travel across the United States, particularly affecting California's major airports including LAX, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Diego. The Federal Aviation Administration was forced to order flight reductions of up to 6% at 40 airports due to critical shortages of air traffic controllers, leading to hundreds of cancellations and extensive delays that frustrated travelers like Oakland resident Marcus Hill. Although President Trump signed an agreement on November 12th to end the shutdown, aviation officials warn that flight delays will likely continue for at least another week as the system recovers.

Who is affected

  • Marcus Hill and his family (Oakland resident who experienced flight cancellations)
  • Travelers across California and nationwide
  • Air traffic controllers (experienced staffing shortages and delayed pay)
  • Passengers using California's four major airports: Los Angeles International (LAX), Oakland International (OAK), San Diego International (SAN), and San Francisco International (SFO)
  • All passengers at 40 airports nationwide subject to FAA flight reduction orders
  • Airline industry representatives
  • California families planning holiday travel
  • Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) and other California lawmakers

What action is being taken

  • Air traffic controllers are receiving 70% of their pay within 24 to 48 hours of the shutdown ending
  • The FAA is reviewing airspace and monitoring staffing trends
  • The Transportation Department is working to ensure enough air traffic controllers return to work
  • The FAA has rolled back the required flight reduction from 6% to 3% at the 40 affected airports (as of November 14)
  • The FAA safety team is monitoring the air traffic control staffing surge

Why it matters

  • The government shutdown created the longest disruption in U.S. history at 43 days, exposing critical vulnerabilities in the nation's aviation infrastructure and causing widespread economic and logistical consequences for travelers. The shortage of air traffic controllers threatened public safety and could have expanded cancellations to affect up to 10% of all flights nationwide if the shutdown had continued. The disruptions have created anxiety and financial burdens for families during what is expected to be a heavy travel season, particularly around major holidays like Thanksgiving, while demonstrating how government policy decisions directly impact daily life and transportation systems. California, with four of its major airports affected by mandatory flight reductions, has been particularly hard hit by the cascading effects of the shutdown.

What's next

  • Travelers should expect flight delays nationwide for the next week or possibly more
  • The FAA will continue to review airspace data and staffing trends to determine when to resume normal operations
  • Airline industry representatives estimate flights could return to normal within a week of the shutdown ending
  • The Transportation Department must continue ensuring enough air traffic controllers are back to work to minimize delays
  • Travel experts recommend passengers book early, prioritize nonstop morning flights, choose flexible tickets, and enable real-time alerts for the upcoming holiday season
  • Rep. Kamlager-Dove indicated "the fight is far from over" regarding broader policy disputes

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint