Nationwide airline disruptions deepen as FAA orders flight reductions amid record U.S. government shutdown

U.S. air travel is bracing for major disruptions as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moves to cut flights by 10% at 40 major airports across the country. The decision, announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Wednesday, comes amid a record-long government shutdown that has forced tens of thousands of air traffic controllers and security staff to work without pay.

The plan aims to alleviate mounting safety concerns after weeks of staff shortages, missed shifts, and overtime fatigue among controllers. According to Reuters, the reductions will begin at 4% on Friday, rising to 10% by next week. The FAA has indicated that international flights will be exempt from the cuts, focusing instead on domestic routes at the busiest airports, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York.

Federal Action to Ease Safety Strain

Transportation Secretary Duffy said the move was necessary to ensure the continued safety of the national airspace, describing the decision as a “hard but responsible call.” He cited a confidential safety assessment showing that prolonged unpaid work had raised concerns about controller performance.

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“When we see pressures building in these 40 markets, we just can’t ignore it,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told Reuters. “We can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating so the system is extremely safe today and will remain so tomorrow.”

The FAA faces a staffing shortfall of roughly 3,500 air traffic controllers. Even before the shutdown began on October 1, many controllers had been working six-day weeks. The shutdown, now in its 37th day, has pushed the system to its limits. The U.S. Department of Transportation said that 13,000 controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents are continuing to report for duty without pay.

The administration has suggested that the reductions could be reversed if Congress passes a funding bill. Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over a proposal that includes health insurance subsidy extensions, which the Republican-led House has so far refused to include.

Airlines Scramble to Adjust Schedules

The nation’s largest airlines have spent the past several days restructuring flight schedules, canceling thousands of domestic routes while promising flexibility for affected travelers. According to CBS News, United Airlines expects to cancel nearly 200 flights a day this weekend as part of the phased reduction.

“We’re trying to be really thoughtful about where those flights come out,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer. He emphasized that the carrier’s goal was to avoid stranding passengers and to communicate cancellations early.

In a memo to staff obtained by the BBC, United CEO Scott Kirby said that all customers, including those with non-refundable or basic economy tickets, could cancel or change their travel plans without penalty. Delta Air Lines has adopted a similar approach, allowing passengers to rebook or receive full refunds for flights scheduled through November 16.

American Airlines said it will trim its flight schedule by 4% between November 7 and 10, representing about 220 daily cancellations. “As schedule changes are made, we’ll proactively reach out to customers who are impacted,” the airline said in a statement to CBS News.

Southwest Airlines, the country’s largest domestic carrier, said it will notify travelers of cancellations and automatically rebook them. Customers who prefer not to take rebooked flights can request full refunds, provided they cancel before departure. Frontier Airlines also announced fee waivers for changes and cancellations, though customers may still be responsible for fare differences on rebooked flights.

Major Airports Affected Nationwide

The BBC reported that the flight reductions will hit 40 of the country’s busiest airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Denver International, and Los Angeles International. The cuts are expected to ripple across the national system, affecting connecting flights and airport operations beyond those directly impacted.

Airports in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Washington, and Houston will also see reductions. Passengers departing from Boston Logan, Philadelphia, and Seattle-Tacoma airports began to experience early cancellations and delays on Thursday as the FAA implemented initial limits.

Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimated that the 10% reduction could eliminate as many as 1,800 flights and 268,000 available seats nationwide. While international travel is expected to continue largely unaffected, the disruptions will concentrate on regional and domestic routes.

Experts warned that even airports not directly listed could experience “domino effects.” “Even if you’re flying out of an airport that doesn’t have reductions, there will be a ripple across the entire system,” said Julian Kheel, CEO of travel site Points Path, in comments to CBS News.

Market and Industry Reactions

Airline shares slipped modestly on Wednesday following the FAA announcement. Reuters reported that United Airlines and American Airlines both fell about 1% in extended trading, reflecting investor concern about declining bookings if the shutdown persists.

Transportation Secretary Duffy warned earlier this week that continued inaction could lead to “mass chaos” and even temporary closures of sections of U.S. airspace. Airline executives echoed calls for an immediate resolution to the funding impasse, citing aviation safety risks and financial uncertainty.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents 55,000 cabin crew members across 20 airlines, condemned the shutdown as “a cruel attack on all Americans.” Union President Sara Nelson said in a statement quoted by Reuters that workers had been placed in “an impossible position” of maintaining safety standards without pay.

Industry groups, including Airlines for America, have urged Congress to restore funding for the FAA and related agencies. “Air travel is a core part of the U.S. economy,” the organization said. “Prolonged disruption will have lasting economic consequences.”

Passengers Face Uncertain Travel Days Ahead

Travel advisors are urging passengers to stay informed, monitor flight apps, and avoid checking luggage whenever possible. “Pay attention to updates from airlines. If you’re not getting emails, call them,” said Tiffany Funk, co-founder of point.me, a travel rewards site, in an interview with CBS News.

John Rose, chief risk and security officer at travel management firm Altour, said travelers should check the location of their aircraft before heading to the airport to anticipate delays. He added that while international routes may be more stable, domestic travelers should prepare for overnight disruptions. “Plan to be stuck somewhere for an extra day,” Rose advised.

Some airline leaders have gone further in their recommendations. Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle suggested that travelers with time-sensitive events, such as weddings or funerals, consider purchasing a backup ticket on a different airline in case of cancellations. “Carriers like Frontier will be putting you on the next available flight, but that may not be until after your event,” he said.

Despite widespread disruptions, experts have stressed that passenger safety remains intact. “People’s safety is not being compromised,” Rose said. “The FAA is not going to put travelers in a higher-risk situation because of this.”

Outlook: Pressure Mounts for a Resolution

The aviation sector, already strained by pandemic-related labor shortages and rising costs, now faces its most significant operational challenge in years. Industry analysts say that the longer the government shutdown continues, the harder it will be to return flight operations to normal capacity.

The U.S. Travel Association estimated that air travel accounts for nearly $1.7 trillion in annual economic activity. Prolonged disruptions could reduce tourism revenue, slow business travel, and further strain supply chains dependent on air freight.

As of Thursday evening, congressional negotiations had not produced a funding agreement. Both parties continue to blame one another for the stalemate, even as the effects ripple through key sectors.

The FAA has warned that additional flight restrictions could follow if staffing shortages persist. With travelers bracing for widespread cancellations, airlines and regulators are emphasizing communication and flexibility as the best tools to minimize disruption.

As Secretary Duffy put it in a press briefing on Wednesday, “Our top priority is to keep the airspace safe. Everything else can be rebuilt once the government reopens.”