“U.S. Airline Cancellations Soar Amid Government Shutdown”

Over 2,700 flights were canceled by U.S. airlines on Sunday, with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioning that air travel nationwide might significantly slow down if the federal government shutdown persists during the Thanksgiving travel season. The slowdown, affecting 40 of the busiest U.S. airports, is now in its third day, leading to more widespread disruptions. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had mandated flight reductions at these key airports due to some unpaid air traffic controllers not reporting to work.

On Sunday alone, there were more than 10,000 reported flight delays, marking the highest disruptions in a single day since the commencement of the government shutdown. Additionally, Friday saw over 1,000 flight cancellations, followed by more than 1,500 cancellations on Saturday.

The FAA initiated reductions starting at a four percent cut on Friday, set to increase to 10 percent by November 14. These reductions, effective from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, will impact all commercial airlines.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta witnessed the most cancellations on Sunday, with over 570 flights affected, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey with at least 265 cancellations. Weather conditions in Georgia, including widespread freezing conditions, could have also contributed to the disruptions, as per the National Weather Service office in Atlanta.

WATCH | U.S. Flight Cancellations Growing Rapidly:

Flight cancellations in U.S. expanding fast due to government shutdown

November 7, 2025|

Duration

2:08

Over 1,000 flights were canceled in the U.S., with thousands more delayed due to the government shutdown’s impact on the Federal Aviation Administration and unpaid air traffic controllers.

Traveller Kyra March experienced delays while traveling to Hartsfield-Jackson on Sunday, recounting a series of postponements and flight rebookings from the day before.

“I was coming from Tampa and that flight got delayed, delayed, delayed. Then it was cancelled and then rebooked. And so I had to stay at a hotel and then came back this morning,” she said.

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The FAA reported staffing shortages at Newark and LaGuardia airports in New York causing average departure delays of about 75 minutes.

On Sunday morning