Travel chaos gripped the United States for a second consecutive day as more than 1,400 flights were cancelled on Saturday, with nearly 6,000 delayed, according to flight tracker FlightAware. The disruptions follow the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to reduce air travel capacity by up to 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The FAA announced earlier in the week that the cuts were necessary to maintain safety, as air traffic controllers who are required to work without pay during the shutdown report fatigue and burnout. The move has worsened the already tense travel environment as the shutdown entered its 39th day, the longest in US history.
Both Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over a funding resolution to reopen the government. Bipartisan negotiations are ongoing in Washington, but no breakthrough has yet been reached. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has left 1.4 million federal employees either furloughed or working without pay, including 64,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents.
American Airlines urged lawmakers to end the shutdown immediately, warning that prolonged disruptions could severely impact upcoming holiday travel. With Thanksgiving approaching on November 27, travel demand is expected to surge, increasing the strain on already stressed airports.
Newark Liberty International Airport experienced some of the worst delays, with arrivals averaging over four hours late. Chicago O’Hare, Charlotte/Douglas, and Newark recorded the highest number of cancellations, while flights to New York’s JFK, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, and LaGuardia faced delays ranging from one to three hours.
FAA officials indicated that flight reductions will continue to escalate from 4% on Friday to 10% by November 14 as they work to ensure air traffic safety. Secretary Duffy noted that restrictions also apply to private jets, which are being redirected to smaller airports to allow commercial operations to take priority.
With no end in sight, travellers are bracing for worsening disruptions in the days ahead.
