Air travellers across the United States are feeling the impact of a long‑running government shutdown. Airlines have cancelled more than 1,700 flights and delayed over 14,000—clocking up record‑high disruption for passengers.
The spike comes after the Senate passed a bill to reopen the government, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stepped up flight cuts on Tuesday. The agency raised its mandatory reduction to 6 % of flights at 40 of the country’s busiest airports, up from 4 % last week. If the shutdown goes on, the cut could jump to 8 % on Thursday and 10 % by Friday.
FAA officials said the tighter schedule is meant to ease pressure on air‑traffic‑control centers, which have been running with fewer staff for more than six weeks. “We’re still focused on safety while keeping the skies as clear as possible,” an FAA spokesperson told reporters.
Congress will vote on the bill again on Wednesday. If the House passes it, President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law, ending the 42‑day shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged Congress to move quickly: “If the House does its work tomorrow, we’re well on our way to getting air travel back to normal,” he said at a news conference at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Big hubs report the most cancellations. Chicago O’Hare, New York’s JFK and LaGuardia, Atlanta, Washington, and Dallas‑Fort Worth carried the heaviest cuts. On Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would recommend $10,000 bonuses for air‑traffic‑controllers who stayed on duty during the shutdown, warning those who missed shifts could face penalties.
Both the FAA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have noted rising absenteeism, as employees work without pay for the 42nd consecutive day. Despite staff shortages, the FAA remains committed to keeping airlines safe while minimizing travel disruptions.
Since the FAA began ordering cuts last week, airlines have cancelled more than 9,000 flights, adding to the growing list of customers who are delayed, rebooked, or stranded. The situation highlights how government funding and staffing decisions can ripple through the travel industry, affecting millions of passengers and the broader economy.
Source: ianslive
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