FAA Imposes Nationwide Flight Reductions Amid Government Shutdown

Fri Dec 05 2025 03:49:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the government shutdown continues, the Federal Aviation Administration has announced a nationwide reduction in flights, impacting major airports and travelers across the country.

The Federal Aviation Administration has enacted unprecedented flight reductions due to the ongoing government shutdown, beginning Friday. This decision affects 40 airports, including major hubs, with expected reductions in flight operations reaching up to 10%. Airlines are adjusting their schedules in response, leading to significant cancellations as air traffic controllers work under financial strain without pay.

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a significant order to reduce flight operations nationwide due to the extended government shutdown, which is set to commence on Friday morning.

According to the FAA, the order encompasses 40 airports, spanning over two dozen states and including major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In metropolitan areas such as New York, Houston, Chicago, and Washington, the effects will be pronounced, potentially impacting smaller airports as well.

Airlines are making swift adjustments to their schedules, with numerous cancellations initiated Thursday ahead of the FAA's announcement, leaving travelers uncertain about their weekend travel plans.

Flight cancellations are already significant, with more than 780 flights canceled nationwide according to FlightAware. Delta Air Lines is set to cancel approximately 170 flights on Friday, while American Airlines anticipates cutting 220 flights daily through Monday.

The FAA anticipates an initial reduction of 4%, with increases up to 10% expected by November 14. The reductions will affect all commercial airlines between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The agency stated that these cutbacks are essential for mitigating the pressure on air traffic controllers, many of whom have been working without pay for over a month and are facing severe financial stress.

Kelly Matthews, a frequent business traveler from Flat Rock, Michigan, expressed her concerns: “You can’t expect people to go in to work when they’re not getting a paycheck… It’s not about them not wanting to do the job. You can’t afford basic living expenses.”

In this climate of uncertainty, airlines are striving to minimize customer disruptions, focusing on slashing routes for smaller cities. Customers impacted by cancellations are entitled to refunds, but secondary costs like meals and accommodations are not covered unless the disruptions are due to factors within airlines' control.

Industry experts have indicated that this reduction will have a widespread and noticeable impact on the U.S. air transportation system, including potential delays for package services out of major distribution centers like FedEx in Memphis and UPS in Louisville.

The ongoing government shutdown adds a layer of urgency to calls for congressional action to restore normal operations and prevent further disruption.

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Contributions from Associated Press journalists Hallie Golden, Safiyah Riddle, and Wyatte Grantham-Philips have been included in this report.