US Flights Canceled as Government Shutdown Impacts Air Traffic Control
WASHINGTON – Ten percent of flights at the 40 busiest airports across the United States will be canceled beginning Friday, November 7, 2025, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The cancellations stem from the inability of the US government to pay the salaries of air traffic controllers, creating critically important disruption ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The planned flight capacities will be “cut by ten percent at 40 airports in the country,” Transport Minister Sean Duffy announced to journalists.These are the “40 busiest” airports nationwide, according to the head of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). the measure aims to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers directly affected by the budget impasse.
Minister Duffy previously warned on Tuesday of potential airspace closures as numerous controllers considered calling out sick due to unpaid wages.this could trigger widespread airport chaos, notably with Thanksgiving on November 27th approaching – a peak travel period for US families. Airports like Houston, Texas, have already experienced hours-long delays and cancellations in recent weeks.
Over 60,000 air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are currently working without pay. The White House cautioned that increased absenteeism could overwhelm check-in procedures.
A similar situation contributed to the end of the 2019 government shutdown, when widespread employee sick-outs caused substantial delays.
The current shutdown began October 1st, 2025, as Republicans and Democrats in the Senate remain deadlocked over an interim budget agreement. Democrats are advocating for increased funding for social programs,particularly those supporting individuals at risk of losing health insurance coverage.
This shutdown is now the longest in US history, with escalating consequences. Approximately 42 million Americans reliant on food assistance programs have been without benefits as the weekend. In total,around 1.4 million federal employees are either on furlough or working without pay.
