US Airport Flight Cuts: FAA Orders 10% Reduction at 40 Major Airports During Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown, now the longest in American history, has reached a breaking point at the nation’s airports. On Friday, November 7, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented an unprecedented order requiring airlines to cut 10 percent of their flights at 40 of the country’s busiest airports. This dramatic measure marks one of the most significant disruptions to American air travel in decades, forcing carriers to cancel hundreds of flights daily and leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers scrambling to adjust their travel plans.​

The decision by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy came as air traffic controllers, working without pay for over a month due to the shutdown, reached a critical breaking point. The FAA announced that the reduction was essential to maintain safety within the national airspace system, as thousands of federal aviation employees continued to work unpaid, experiencing mounting fatigue and stress.​

Understanding the Flight Reduction Plan

The FAA implemented the flight cuts on a graduated schedule beginning Friday morning. Airlines were required to cut 4 percent of their domestic flights starting at 6 a.m. EST on November 7, with reductions escalating to 6 percent on November 11, 8 percent on November 13, and reaching the full 10 percent by November 14 and continuing thereafter. The cuts apply only to domestic operations scheduled between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time, while international flights remain unaffected for now.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, approximately 1,800 flights per day are being canceled at the affected airports, representing a loss of 268,000 seats daily. By Friday alone, nearly 800 flights had been canceled within, into, and out of the United States—the highest single-day total since the shutdown began in October.​

The 40 Affected Airports: A Complete List

The FAA’s directive impacts 40 major airports spanning more than two dozen states. These airports represent the backbone of American air travel and include the nation’s busiest hubs: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW), Denver International (DEN), Los Angeles International (LAX), and John F. Kennedy International (JFK) in New York.​

The complete list of affected airports includes Anchorage International, Hartsfield-Jackson International, Boston Logan International, Baltimore/Washington International, Charlotte Douglas International, Cincinnati Northern International, Dallas Love Field, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Denver International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Newark Liberty International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International, Houston Hobby, Washington Dulles International, George Bush Intercontinental, Indianapolis International, John F. Kennedy International, Harry Reid International (Las Vegas), Los Angeles International, LaGuardia, Orlando International, Chicago Midway International, Memphis International, Miami International, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International, Oakland International, Ontario International, Chicago O’Hare International, Portland International, Philadelphia International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, San Diego International, Louisville Muhammad Ali International, Seattle-Tacoma International, San Francisco International, Salt Lake City International, Teterboro, and Tampa International.​

Airline Response and Cancellation Strategies

Major airlines scrambled to adjust their schedules within hours of the announcement. American Airlines announced it would reduce operations by approximately 4 percent initially, amounting to roughly 220 flight cancellations per day through Monday, with plans to gradually move toward the full 10 percent reduction by November 14. The carrier confirmed that its international routes would remain unaffected for now, prioritizing long-haul flights to minimize overall passenger impact.​

United Airlines canceled 187 flights on Friday and pledged to do “everything we can to minimize disruptions to your travel plans” while maintaining protection for long-haul international services. Delta Air Lines announced approximately 170 flight cancellations on Friday and implemented flexible booking policies, waiving penalties for passengers who choose to cancel or reschedule their travel.​

Southwest Airlines and other carriers similarly adjusted their schedules, offering full refunds for canceled flights, though airlines are not required to cover hotel or incidental costs associated with the cancellations. Most airlines are attempting to protect hub-to-hub routes, such as Los Angeles to New York and Chicago to Atlanta, to maintain network efficiency and facilitate passenger connections.​

The Root Cause: Air Traffic Controllers Working Without Pay

The flight reductions stem directly from the crisis facing air traffic controllers and other FAA employees who have been working without compensation for over a month. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and security screeners are designated as essential federal employees, meaning they are required to continue working even during shutdowns but do not receive paychecks.​

Many controllers are working six-day weeks with mandatory overtime, leading to dangerous levels of fatigue and stress. The FAA reported “fatigue building in the system” as controllers pushed their physical and mental limits without financial compensation. Some controllers have begun calling in sick due to financial hardship and exhaustion, creating dangerous staffing gaps in critical airport towers.​

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the decision was motivated by safety considerations rather than political factors. “This isn’t about politics—it’s assessing the data and alleviating building risk as controllers continue working without pay,” Duffy posted on X. When asked about the ability to pay controllers, Duffy responded plainly: “I’d love to pay them, but I can’t,” highlighting the financial constraints imposed by the ongoing congressional stalemate.​

Safety First: The FAA’s Rationale

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized that the flight reductions were necessary to maintain the highest safety standards. “We are observing signs of stress in the system so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to ensure the American people can travel safely,” Bedford stated.​

The agency explained that with continued delays and unpredictable staffing shortages driving fatigue among controllers, risk was increasing rapidly. “With continued delays and unpredictable staffing shortages that are driving fatigue, risk is further increasing, and the FAA is concerned with the system’s ability to maintain the current volume of operations,” the agency’s official order stated.​

Bedford also indicated that additional reductions might be necessary if the shutdown persists beyond the initial 10 percent cuts, signaling that passengers should prepare for potentially deeper disruptions in the weeks ahead.​

Impact on Thanksgiving Travel

The timing of the flight reductions is particularly troubling for American travelers. The cuts take effect just weeks before the busy Thanksgiving travel period, one of the busiest times of the year for air travel in the United States. The reduction of 1,800 flights daily comes at precisely the moment when passenger demand typically surges as millions of Americans travel home for the holiday.​

Industry experts warn that the cascading effects could extend far beyond November 14. Even if the government shutdown ends soon, it could take weeks for airlines to reschedule canceled flights and for the aviation system to return to normal operations. Passengers with Thanksgiving plans are being urged to confirm their flights with airlines and prepare for the possibility of significant delays or cancellations.​

Passenger Concerns and Travel Adjustments

Travelers with weekend and future travel plans have been left in a state of uncertainty. Many began adjusting or canceling itineraries in anticipation of disruptions, taking advantage of airline policies waiving change fees during this period.​

The FAA urged travelers to check directly with their airlines for updates, as schedules continue to shift and cancellation lists expand. Passengers with booked flights are advised to arrive at airports earlier than usual, as staffing shortages and flight reductions could lead to longer security lines and gate processing delays.​

The Broader Economic Impact

Beyond passenger inconvenience, the flight reductions carry significant economic implications. Airlines are losing revenue from canceled flights, cargo operators face delays in shipping goods, and the travel and hospitality industries anticipate reduced bookings during a critical pre-holiday period.​

Regional airports that depend on connecting flights from major hubs could face cascading disruptions as passengers unable to connect through affected airports are rerouted or forced to cancel trips entirely.​

Political Pressure and Government Standoff

The flight reductions represent an indirect but powerful form of political pressure on Congress to resolve the government shutdown. By disrupting air travel—one of the most visible and personally impactful consequences of government dysfunction—both the Trump administration and the aviation industry are essentially forcing lawmakers to confront the human costs of their inability to reach a funding agreement.

Trump has called on Democrats to strike a deal and reopen the government, while also threatening potential layoffs for federal employees if the shutdown continues much longer. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has rebuffed Trump’s calls to eliminate the filibuster to force a government reopening, indicating that negotiations remain stuck.​

Looking Forward: When Will Normal Operations Resume?

There is no predetermined end date for the flight reductions. The FAA indicated that the cuts would remain in effect as long as the government shutdown persists and air traffic controllers continue working without pay. If the shutdown extends into mid-November or beyond, the 10 percent reduction will remain in place, with potential for further escalation if conditions deteriorate.​

Federal officials have stated that once the government reopens and controllers receive back pay, operations should gradually return to normal. However, the reshuffling of canceled flights, rebooked passengers, and disrupted cargo operations could take weeks to fully resolve, even after the shutdown ends.​

An Unprecedented Crisis in American Aviation

The FAA’s decision to cut 10 percent of flights at 40 major airports marks an extraordinary moment in American aviation history. What was once unthinkable—deliberately reducing flight capacity at major hubs to protect safety—has become necessary due to the prolonged government shutdown and its catastrophic impact on the air traffic control system.​

As hundreds of thousands of passengers face cancellations and delays, and millions more face uncertainty about their upcoming travel plans, the aviation system stands as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of political gridlock in Washington. The flight cuts are not merely inconveniences—they represent a fundamental breakdown in the government’s ability to function, with direct and measurable impacts on American citizens, the economy, and the safety systems that millions depend on daily.​

Until Congress resolves the government shutdown and federal employees, including air traffic controllers, receive their paychecks, American air travel will remain significantly restricted.

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