The FAA is phasing in flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports to relieve air traffic controllers who have gone unpaid during the federal shutdown. Airlines will begin with about a 4% cut and could build to a 10% cap, with nearly 500 cancellations already reported for Friday. The disruption could remove as many as 1,800 flights (about 268,000 seats), affect package hubs in Memphis and Louisville, and may persist until the shutdown ends.
FAA to Phase In Up to 10% Flight Reductions at 40 Major U.S. Airports Amid Government Shutdown
The FAA is phasing in flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports to relieve air traffic controllers who have gone unpaid during the federal shutdown. Airlines will begin with about a 4% cut and could build to a 10% cap, with nearly 500 cancellations already reported for Friday. The disruption could remove as many as 1,800 flights (about 268,000 seats), affect package hubs in Memphis and Louisville, and may persist until the shutdown ends.
02:26, 07.11.2025Politics
Hundreds of flights scheduled for Friday have already been canceled as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moves to phase in reductions of up to 10% at 40 major U.S. airports because of the federal government shutdown.
Why now? The FAA says the limits are intended to ease the workload on air traffic controllers, many of whom have gone without pay during the shutdown. Officials and union leaders say staffing shortages and higher rates of sick calls have strained operations for weeks.
Which airports are affected?
The FAA has identified 40 airports for phased reductions, including major hubs such as Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Miami, Newark and San Francisco. Regulators have published a full list of the affected airports.
Tracking service FlightAware reported that nearly 500 flights were canceled for Friday — more than four times the cancellations recorded on Thursday.
How will the reductions be implemented?
The FAA directed airlines to begin reductions on Friday, with passenger notifications expected to be sent the day before. Airlines say the plan starts with an initial 4% cut in scheduled flights at the targeted airports and could build over time toward a 10% cap, depending on staffing conditions and further guidance from the FAA.
Some carriers have already adjusted schedules: United Airlines said it would trim about 4% of its flights this weekend following FAA guidance. As of midday Thursday the FAA had not posted a formal public order detailing implementation.
How long will this last?
It is unclear when the reductions will end. Airlines, unions and travel-industry groups have urged Congress to resolve the shutdown — which recently became the longest on record — to avoid prolonged disruption.
What impact will passengers and shippers see?
- One estimate suggests the cuts could remove up to 1,800 flights and roughly 268,000 seats in total.
- Major carriers such as United and Delta have said they will offer refunds to travelers who decide not to travel, even for normally nonrefundable fares.
- Parcel delivery could be disrupted: two airports with major distribution hubs — Memphis (FedEx) and Louisville (UPS) — are on the FAA list.
Transportation officials have warned that the situation could deteriorate if controllers miss additional paychecks.
Has the FAA done this before?
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said he has not seen these kinds of phased reductions in his nearly four-decade career in aviation. Staffing issues had caused isolated delays in October, but recent weekends showed a marked rise in facilities reporting potential staffing limits: an analysis of operations plans found that at least 39 air traffic control facilities reported potential staffing issues from Friday through Sunday evening, well above the pre-shutdown weekend average of about 8.3.
What travelers should do
- Check your airline's website and FlightAware or other tracking services before leaving for the airport.
- Allow extra time for check-in and security.
- If your flight is canceled, contact your carrier about rebooking or refunds; major airlines have indicated flexibility for travelers affected by the reductions.
Bottom line: Expect higher chances of cancellations and delays while the FAA phases in caps to reduce controller workload during the shutdown. Monitor your flight and stay in touch with your airline for the latest information.