U.S. airlines experienced significant disruptions over the weekend, with over 2,100 flights canceled on Sunday alone, amid warnings from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that the ongoing federal government shutdown could lead to a drastic decline in air traffic as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. This marked the third consecutive day of delays at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, raising concerns about widespread inconveniences during a peak travel season.
Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to staffing shortages caused by unpaid air traffic controllers by implementing mandated flight cuts, which began on Friday at a 4% reduction and are projected to escalate to 10% by November 14. These cuts are expected to affect all commercial airlines operating between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta was heavily impacted on Sunday, recording the highest number of cancellations, exceeding 570. Newark Liberty International Airport followed with at least 265 cancellations. Newark and LaGuardia in New York have seen average departure delays of approximately 75 minutes due to these controller shortages. Meanwhile, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport was largely unaffected, experiencing minimal congestion and shorter wait times at security checkpoints.
Secretary Duffy emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that continued shutdown could lead to even steeper flight reductions, potentially reaching 20%. He noted an alarming trend of controllers not reporting for work, which intensifies with each pay period passed without compensation. “As we get closer to Thanksgiving travel,” Duffy said, “you’re going to have air travel slow to a trickle,” anticipating a wave of cancellations and frustrations among travelers.
With many air traffic controllers opting for early retirement—up to 20 controllers a day, according to Duffy—the FAA has struggled with staffing levels for years, a problem exacerbated by the current crisis. Duffy mentioned that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth proposed the possibility of utilizing military air traffic controllers; however, it remains uncertain if they are certified for civilian air traffic control systems.
Responding to accusations from Democratic lawmakers that the flight cancellations are a politically motivated tactic, Duffy defended the FAA’s actions as necessary for ensuring safety. He highlighted that the overburdened air traffic control system had already experienced increasing incidents of near-misses, prompting urgent measures.
Airlines for America, a trade group representing U.S. airlines, reported that staffing issues resulted in more than 3,000 hours of air traffic control delays on Saturday, accounting for 71% of overall delay time. From October 1 to November 7, controller shortages have disrupted the travel plans of over 4 million passengers on U.S. airlines, illustrating the widespread impact of the ongoing crisis.
