Air travel across the United States has been thrown into turmoil as a continuing federal government shutdown exacerbates a shortage of air traffic controllers, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to order dramatic reductions in flights at major airports. The disruption has triggered thousands of cancellations and delays, affecting millions of travellers ahead of the busy holiday season.
According to the FAA, the shutdown has forced more than 13,000 controllers — along with 50,000 security workers — to perform duties without pay, leading to growing absenteeism and fatigue. At nearly half of the country’s top 30 airports, controller shortages have reached critical levels, with some facilities seeing up to 80% of controllers absent.
In response, the FAA directed airlines to reduce flight operations by up to 10% at 40 of the busiest airports, starting with a 4% cut and ramping up as the crisis deepened. As a result, airlines cancelled more than 2,800 flights and delayed over 10,200 on a single day — the worst disruption the sector has seen since the shutdown began.
The chaos has rippled across the network: many airports recorded hours-long security lines, widespread delays, and sudden cancellations. Some carriers have scaled back their schedules for several days in a row, leaving passengers scrambling to rebook or find alternate travel plans.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, air travel could “slow to a trickle” just as millions of Americans prepare to travel for Thanksgiving. Industry estimates suggest that over 3.2 million travellers have already been affected.
The disruption isn’t only creating immediate flight chaos — experts warn it could dent broader economic activity by slowing commerce, tourism, and freight movement during a critical holiday period.
Passengers are advised to check for cancellations, contact their carriers for refunds or rebookings, and get ready for uncertain travel circumstances. This has to be done until personnel and government operations return to normal, as airlines and regulators rush to manage the consequences.
#bookmybooking #news #aritraffic #staffshortage #usairport #cancellations