Major US Airports Start 10% Flight Reductions as Shutdown Continues

Starting today, November 7, 2025, air travel across the US will be reduced by up to 10 percent at 40 major airports if the ongoing government shutdown continues, according to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that staffing shortages caused by the shutdown have left many air traffic controllers working long hours without pay. The agency said these conditions are creating serious fatigue risks, making it unsafe to sustain normal flight volumes.

To prevent safety incidents, the FAA has begun a phased reduction in air traffic, starting with a 4 percent cut this morning. The reduction will increase gradually each day until the 10 percent cap is reached around November 14, 2025.

The cuts affect many of the nation’s busiest airports, including Dallas–Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Charlotte, New York, Houston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Major airlines like Delta and American Airlines have already canceled hundreds of flights and adjusted schedules in anticipation.

Airlines are waiving change and rebooking fees for affected passengers, but officials warn that the disruptions could severely impact both holiday and business travel if the shutdown persists.

Photo by Andres Molina on Unsplash