US air travel faced increasing disruptions this weekend as airlines canceled more than once 2,100 flights on Sunday, marking the third consecutive day of widespread operational tension. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the federal government shutdown continues, national air traffic could “slow to a trickle” just as millions prepare to travel for Thanksgiving.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered flight reductions at 40 major airports after unpaid air traffic controllers began missing shifts due to extended pay delays. The cuts – initially set at 4 percent – are expected to rise to 10 percent by mid-November, impacting commercial flights between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
More than 7,000 flight delays were recorded on Sunday alone, according to tracking service FlightAware, with major hubs such as Hartsfield-Jackson and Newark Liberty International in Atlanta among the hardest hit. Atlanta recorded more than 570 cancellations, while Newark saw at least 265. Severe weather conditions in Georgia further complicated travel.
Duffy warned that continued staff absenteeism could force the government to extend cuts of up to 20 percent, potentially paralyzing air travel during the country’s busiest holiday period. “As more inspectors go unpaid, fewer come to work,” he said, warning of “massive disruption” and “angry Americans” if the crisis is not resolved.
The U.S. aviation system has long suffered from staff shortages, and the shutdown has accelerated the retirement of experienced air traffic controllers — up to 20 a day, according to Duffy. While the Defense Department has offered to help with military controllers, it remains unclear whether they are certified to lead civilian operations.
Airlines for America, a trade group representing U.S. airlines, reported that air traffic control delays totaled more than 3,000 hours on Saturday, accounting for 71 percent of all delay time. Since the shutdown began on October 1, an estimated four million passengers across the country have faced a shortage of controllers.
As the travel industry braces for Thanksgiving week, federal officials warn that without a quick fix and restored wages, the nation’s skies could soon resemble the nation’s political climate: busy, uncertain and increasingly grounded.
