More than 1,400 flights across the United States were canceled on Saturday and nearly 6,000 more delayed as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered airlines to scale back traffic amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 39th day — the longest in U.S. history.
The FAA this week announced it would reduce air traffic capacity by up to 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports to maintain safety standards as air traffic controllers, who are working without pay, report exhaustion and increased stress.
The agency said the reductions would be implemented gradually, beginning with a 4% cut on Friday and rising to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and 10% by November 14. FAA officials said the move was necessary to “preserve safety” as staffing shortages and fatigue mount.
“As essential employees, our controllers continue working without pay, but they are under extreme pressure,” an FAA spokesperson said. “This adjustment allows us to manage operations safely until funding is restored.”
According to flight tracker FlightAware, Charlotte/Douglas International, Newark Liberty International, and Chicago O’Hare International had the highest number of cancellations on Saturday.
Newark Airport saw some of the longest wait times, with arrivals delayed by over four hours and departures averaging 90 minutes, according to FAA data. Meanwhile, outbound flights from New York’s JFK Airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, and LaGuardia were delayed by between one and three hours.
The disruptions come as millions of Americans prepare for Thanksgiving travel on November 27, one of the busiest air travel periods of the year.
American Airlines released a statement urging lawmakers to end the political impasse in Congress. “We call on leaders in Washington, D.C., to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown,” the airline said, warning that extended disruptions could worsen in the coming weeks.
Negotiations continued over the weekend as Senators from both parties met in Washington to seek a compromise to reopen the government. The shutdown began on October 1 after Congress failed to pass a spending bill, leaving 1.4 million federal employees either working without pay or furloughed.
FAA Secretary Duffy said on X (formerly Twitter) that flight restrictions also apply to private jets, which have been redirected to smaller regional airports to reduce congestion. “We’ve reduced their volume at high-traffic airports so controllers can focus on commercial aviation. That’s only fair,” Duffy wrote.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — whose 64,000 agents are also working without pay — has reported growing absenteeism. During the 2018–2019 shutdown under President Donald Trump, up to 10% of TSA staff stayed home rather than work unpaid, raising concerns that this shutdown could have similar effects.
Beyond the aviation sector, the shutdown has begun to affect a wider range of services, including food aid programs, federal loans, and national park operations. With no agreement in sight, economists warn the prolonged standoff could slow the U.S. economy and strain critical infrastructure as public workers remain unpaid.
Africa Digital News, New York
