U.S. Airlines Cancel 1,200 Flights Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown — Millions of Travelers Affected

U.S. Airlines Cancel 1,200 Flights Amid Government Shutdown Chaos

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the U.S. air travel system suffered major disruptions as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a reduction in flight operations across 40 major airports nationwide. The decision led to the cancellation of approximately 1,200 flights, marking the fifth consecutive day that daily cancellations have exceeded 1,000.

The move comes as the federal government shutdown enters its 42nd day, severely affecting air traffic control staffing and operations. The FAA explained that staff shortages, delayed hiring, and controller fatigue have forced the agency to scale back operations to maintain safety standards.

Initially, the FAA had implemented a 4% reduction in flight operations last week, which increased to 6% on Tuesday. Reports suggest further cuts — up to 8–10% — are being considered if the shutdown continues.

The cancellations have left millions of passengers stranded or delayed, disrupting travel plans nationwide. Airlines including Delta, American, United, and Southwest reported widespread schedule changes and urged passengers to check flight updates through official apps and websites before traveling.

Smaller regional airports have been hit the hardest due to limited resources and fewer available flight alternatives. Industry experts say the impact is particularly severe for domestic travelers and business routes in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, and Chicago, where connecting flights were grounded due to reduced air traffic capacity.

The U.S. Senate has passed a temporary funding bill to reopen the government, but it still awaits approval from the House of Representatives. Even if the shutdown ends soon, airlines warn that it could take weeks for the national flight schedule to return to normal operations.

According to aviation analysts, key risks now include controller burnout, overtime fatigue, and a backlog of flight rescheduling, all of which could continue to challenge the aviation system for the foreseeable future.

This latest wave of cancellations highlights how deeply intertwined America’s air travel infrastructure is with federal operations. Experts stress that without stable government funding and adequate staffing, disruptions like this could become more frequent — leaving travelers uncertain and the industry on edge.