US Shutdown: FAA Cuts 10% Flights at Major Airports Amid Record Government Crisis
The US Shutdown forces the FAA to cut 10% of flights at major airports, marking the longest government crisis in history and disrupting nationwide travel.
TheInterviewTimes.com | Washington D.C. | November 6, 2025 — The US Shutdown has entered its 36th day, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to announce a 10% reduction in air traffic at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports starting Friday. The move highlights how the record-breaking US Shutdown is severely disrupting critical government operations, particularly aviation safety and travel management.
According to the FAA, the drastic measure comes amid an unsustainable strain on the air traffic control workforce, as thousands of controllers continue to work without pay. The flight reduction could result in nearly 1,800 daily cancellations and affect more than 268,000 passengers nationwide, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Safety at the Core Amid US Shutdown Strain
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that safety remains the government’s foremost priority.
“We had a gut check of what is our job. Our job is to make the hard decisions to keep the airspace safe,” Duffy said.
The US Shutdown has pushed air traffic operations to a breaking point. Air traffic controllers are working extended shifts with limited rest, creating fatigue concerns that threaten airspace safety. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford confirmed that last weekend saw the worst staffing shortages since the crisis began, with 98 emergency staffing triggers activated to sustain operations.
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Airlines Scramble to Respond to the FAA Order
Major airlines are rushing to adapt. Southwest Airlines said it was evaluating operational impacts, while Airlines for America, representing Delta, United, and American Airlines, confirmed its members are working to minimize disruptions.
The US Shutdown has left over 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents without pay since October 1. As financial stress deepens, reports of absenteeism and low morale have surged, further straining an already fragile aviation infrastructure.
Industry experts warn that the 10% reduction may only be the beginning if the US Shutdown continues without resolution. Bedford stated,
“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to manifest when early indicators tell us action is needed now.”
Political Deadlock Deepens the US Shutdown Crisis
The US Shutdown stems from a bitter political deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over the federal budget. Disputes regarding healthcare subsidies and spending priorities have kept the government at a standstill, marking the longest shutdown in American history.
Officials suggest that the most affected hubs include New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas. The FAA plans to release a full list of impacted airports by Thursday.
Airline stocks reacted sharply to the announcement, with United and American Airlines shares falling nearly 1% in after-hours trading. Analysts estimate that US Shutdown disruptions have already affected more than 3.2 million passengers through cancellations and delays.
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Economic Fallout and Aviation Challenges Ahead
The prolonged US Shutdown continues to erode consumer confidence and strain the U.S. economy. Aviation experts estimate that every week of shutdown adds millions in economic losses due to reduced productivity, flight delays, and tourism impacts.
The FAA has hinted at potential further operational restrictions if staffing shortages persist. This scenario could intensify the challenges faced by travelers during the winter season, a period already prone to weather-related disruptions.
The US Shutdown, once seen as a political bargaining tool, now threatens critical sectors — from aviation to national security. As federal employees endure unpaid weeks, public frustration is growing, and bipartisan negotiations remain gridlocked.
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Aviation Industry Awaits Resolution
As the US Shutdown drags on, the aviation industry braces for an uncertain future. Travel disruptions, safety concerns, and economic losses highlight the far-reaching impact of political paralysis.
Unless Congress reaches a budget agreement soon, the US Shutdown may trigger further operational breakdowns across federal services, leaving millions of travelers and workers in limbo.
The coming weeks will determine whether America’s skies — and its government — can regain stability amid the most severe US Shutdown in history.