FAA Cuts Flights at 40 Airports Amid 2025 Government Shutdown
As the US government shutdown continues into its sixth week on 7 November 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reduced flights at 40 major airports due to air traffic controller shortages. This has forced a 10% cut in operations to prevent controller fatigue.
Impact on Passengers and Flight Schedules
On the first day of these reductions, over 790 flights were removed from schedules, affecting up to 268,000 passengers daily. This sparked concerns about delays during the holiday travel season as airlines cancel flights.
Causes and Economic Consequences
The crisis stems from mandatory unpaid overtime for controllers working six days per week. The resulting staffing shortages are causing disruptions beyond aviation, including delayed package deliveries and disturbed business meetings.
Scope of Reductions and Affected Airports
The FAA’s flight cut order targets 40 high-traffic airports across more than two dozen states. Reductions started at 4% on 7 November and will rise to 10% by 14 November during peak hours (from 6 a.m.).
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- New York airports: JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), Newark (EWR)
- Houston airports: IAH, HOU
- Chicago airports: O'Hare (ORD), Midway (MDW)
- Washington airports: Ronald Reagan (DCA), Dulles (IAD)
"Over 790 flights vanished from schedules on the inaugural day, stranding up to 268,000 passengers daily and igniting fears of holiday flight delays amid airline cancellations 2025."
"This aviation safety risks crisis, born of mandatory unpaid overtime for controllers working six days weekly, ripples through economic impacts shutdown, from stalled package deliveries to upended business meetings."
Flight reductions will intensify over the coming week as the FAA seeks to maintain safety by limiting controller fatigue during the prolonged shutdown.
Author's summary: The ongoing 2025 government shutdown forces significant FAA flight cuts at major US airports, disrupting travel and commerce as controller shortages worsen safety concerns.