Chaos in US skies as shutdown grounds thousands of flights
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As the shutdown drags on, air traffic control cuts and severe weather combine to paralyze US air travel, leaving passengers stranded nationwide.
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Air Traffic Controllers distribute leaflets explaining how the federal government shutdown is impacting air travel at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Romulus, Mich (AP)
Air travel across the United States descended into chaos on Monday, with airlines canceling more than 1,500 flights, marking the fourth consecutive day that daily cancellations topped 1,000. Delays and disruptions continued to ripple nationwide as the federal government shutdown, now at a record 40 days, exacerbated staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
By 8:30 am ET (1330 GMT), FlightAware, a flight tracking service, reported that 1,550 flights had been canceled and 1,400 delayed. This followed Sunday’s tumultuous travel day, when nearly 2,950 flights were canceled and 10,800 delayed, the worst disruption since the shutdown began on October 1.
Airlines warned travelers to brace for continued uncertainty, citing both government-mandated flight reductions and a late November winter storm in Chicago, which compounded delays at major hubs such as O’Hare International Airport.
Shutdown strains air traffic control
The ongoing shutdown has left thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers, working without pay, leading to critical staffing shortages. In response, the FAA began implementing mandatory flight cuts at 40 major airports, initially reducing daily flights by 4% starting Friday.
The reductions are set to increase to 6% on Tuesday and escalate further to 10% by November 14 unless staffing levels improve.
Late Sunday, the FAA suspended general aviation operations at 12 airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Reagan Washington National Airport, citing insufficient air traffic control personnel to safely manage traffic.
Senate advances shutdown-end bill
Amid mounting frustration from travelers and the aviation industry, the US Senate voted late Sunday to advance legislation aimed at ending the shutdown. While the bill’s passage in the House and subsequent presidential approval remain uncertain, the move signals a potential thaw in federal gridlock.
Airlines, meanwhile, continue to contend with the cascading effects of cancellations. Flights delayed early in the day often trigger knock-on delays across the national network, stranding thousands of passengers. Airlines have encouraged travelers to check flights in advance and prepare for potential last-minute changes.
After weeks of chaos triggered by Trump’s refusal to compromise, Congress is finally moving to end the shutdown, offering a glimmer of hope to stranded travelers and unpaid federal workers whose jobs are critical to keep US air travel functioning.
