Despite the federal government shutdown appearing to be nearing its end, flight delays and cancellations are expected to continue—even if the federal freeze ends this week.
Why It Matters
Flights have been delayed and canceled across the country in recent weeks due to reduced staffing levels as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown. After the FAA’s order, many more were scrapped over the weekend.
Air traffic controllers have been particularly strained, as they are having to work without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy previously spoke about how exhausted, stressed and overworked controllers have become, many of whom have had to get second jobs to cover bills while their paychecks are paused.
Many have also called in sick, and staffing has reportedly been reduced by 50 percent in some areas since the shutdown started.
As the cancellations and delays are likely to carry on regardless of whether the shutdown ends this week, concern is amplifying over how travel will be impacted over the Thanksgiving holiday period, after Vice President JD Vance warned that flying in November could be a “disaster.”
What To Know
Following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) order for 40 airports nationwide to cut back on air traffic and combat the travel chaos, airlines canceled more than 2,300 flights on Monday and over 1,000 flights have also been scrapped on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump has also threatened air traffic controllers who are not showing up for work amid the ongoing shutdown, saying he would give a $10,000 bonus to those who have stayed in their jobs without pay, while suggesting he would dock the pay of those who haven’t.
“For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.
On Monday, the Senate passed legislation to reopen the government, a promising step forward in ending the ongoing shutdown, which has been the longest in U.S. history. However, the bill still needs to clear the House and final passage before the stoppage is concluded.
Regardless of this development, Duffy has made it clear that flight cancellations are set to remain in place until the FAA sees staffing levels stabilize at its air traffic control facilities.
Based on Flight Aware data, 1,156 flights have already been canceled nationwide on Tuesday, with 493 delays recorded by around 4 a.m. Eastern Time. On Wednesday, 838 flights have been canceled so far.
Across the 40 airports where air traffic has been significantly cut back, the tables below show which flights have been canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday. The tables are not exhaustive, and include information readily available on airline and airport websites. The table for Wednesday shows only the flights canceled by United Airlines.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth Social: “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially “docked.” For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax,” I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country. For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering. The last “Administration” wasted Billions of Dollars trying to fix antiquated “junk.” They had no idea what they were doing! Again, to our great American Patriots, GOD BLESS YOU – I won’t be able to send your money fast enough! To all others, REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. GOD BLESS AMERICA! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
What Happens Next
Flight disruptions are expected to continue regardless of whether the U.S. government shutdown ends this week.
This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.