FAA Announces Nationwide Flight Reductions Amid Government Shutdown

Fri Nov 07 2025 11:23:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The FAA is set to implement unprecedented flight cuts nationwide due to the ongoing government shutdown, affecting major airports and airlines as they adjust schedules and cancel flights.

As the government shutdown drags on, the FAA has ordered immediate flight reductions across 40 airports, impacting major hubs and smaller airports alike. Airlines are already canceling hundreds of flights as they scramble to adapt. The reductions, aimed at alleviating the pressure on air traffic controllers working without pay, will gradually increase from 4% to 10% by mid-November. Travelers are left anxious about their upcoming plans as the situation escalates.

The Federal Aviation Administration is set to implement an unprecedented order to reduce flights nationwide due to the ongoing government shutdown that has led to severe operational challenges within the aviation sector. The directive will take effect starting Friday morning.

Under this order, 40 airports, including major hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina, will experience significant flight reductions. The FAA has indicated that adjustments will primarily affect operations during peak hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., impacting all commercial airlines.

As travelers prepare for the weekend, airlines have already begun adjusting their schedules, with over 780 flights canceled nationwide according to FlightAware. Delta Air Lines plans to eliminate approximately 170 flights on Friday, while American Airlines is set to cut about 220 daily flights through the upcoming Monday.

The FAA's reductions will start at 4% and are expected to ramp up to a 10% reduction by November 14. Given the turbulence of the situation, many travelers are left uncertain about their flight itineraries.

The FAA stated that the cuts are necessary to help ease the workload of air traffic controllers who have been working without pay for more than a month, often pulling six-day work weeks. Reports indicate an increasing number of controllers calling out due to the financial strain.

Kelly Matthews, a frequent business traveler, shared her experience, stating, “You can’t expect people to go into work when they’re not getting a paycheck," adding that she has canceled most of her upcoming trips due to the current unpredictability.

In light of the travel disruptions, some airlines are attempting to minimize the impact on customers, focusing instead on cutting routes to and from smaller cities. Travelers whose flights are canceled will be entitled to refunds but may not receive coverage for additional expenses such as meals or accommodations.

Industry experts warn that these reductions will likely have a noticeable impact on the U.S. air transportation system. Additionally, the reductions may hinder package delivery services as some affected airports serve as major distribution centers for carriers like FedEx and UPS.

As the shutdown continues, pressure is mounting on Congress to resolve the crisis and restore normal operations in various sectors, including air travel.