✈️ Airlines Cancel Over 2,000 Flights Amid Shutdown Turmoil, FAA Warns of “Trickle” in Air Travel Before Thanksgiving

As the government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, staffing shortages and unpaid air traffic controllers trigger mass cancellations, 7,000 delays, and growing fears of nationwide gridlock during the holiday rush.

WASHINGTON | For the first time since the federal government shutdown began, U.S. airlines have surpassed 2,000 flight cancellations in a single day, marking the most severe aviation disruption since pandemic-era restrictions. According to FlightAware, more than 7,000 delays were logged nationwide on Sunday alone.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that without congressional action, air traffic “could slow to a trickle” just as millions of Americans prepare for Thanksgiving travel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered progressive flight cuts at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports last week, beginning at 4% and climbing to 10% by November 14.

“More controllers aren’t coming to work day by day, the further they go without a paycheck,” Duffy said Sunday. “You’re going to have massive disruption. It doesn’t get better — it gets worse until these air traffic controllers are going to be paid.”