More than 1,400 flights cancelled as US air traffic cuts enter second day

November 9, 2025

The ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 39th day as the longest in U.S. history, has caused significant disruptions to air travel with over 1,400 flight cancellations on Saturday and nearly 6,000 delays. The Federal Aviation Administration has mandated reduced air traffic capacity by up to 10% at forty major airports because air traffic controllers are working without pay and reporting exhaustion. Major airports including Newark, Charlotte, and Chicago O'Hare have experienced the worst disruptions, with some delays exceeding four hours.

Who is affected

More than 1.4 million federal workers (working without pay or furloughed)
Air traffic controllers working without pay
64,000 Transportation Security Agency (TSA) agents working without pay
Airline passengers experiencing flight cancellations and delays
Airlines (specifically mentioned: American Airlines)
Private jet travelers
Americans receiving food aid payments
Travelers at affected airports including Newark Liberty International, Charlotte/Douglas International, Chicago O'Hare International, JFK, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, and La Guardia

What action is being taken

The FAA is reducing air travel capacity by up to 10% at 40 of the nation's busiest airports
Air traffic controllers are working without pay during the shutdown
The FAA is implementing gradual flight reductions (starting at 4% on Friday, rising to 10% by November 14)
Senators are in Washington over the weekend for bipartisan negotiations
Private jets are being restricted and redirected to smaller airports
Air traffic controllers are calling out sick or taking on second jobs

Why it matters

This shutdown represents the longest in U.S. history and is causing cascading impacts on essential services and infrastructure. The flight disruptions threaten public safety as overworked, unpaid air traffic controllers report fatigue, forcing the FAA to reduce capacity at major airports. The timing is particularly critical as it coincides with the Thanksgiving holiday travel season, one of the busiest periods for air travel in the United States. Beyond aviation, the shutdown affects millions of federal workers' livelihoods and cuts essential services like food aid, demonstrating how political gridlock can have widespread consequences for everyday Americans.

What's next

Flight reductions will increase gradually: 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and the full 10% by November 14
Conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days as the FAA increases the percentage of cancelled flights
Bipartisan negotiations are ongoing over the weekend aimed at ending the shutdown

Read full article from source: BBC