The Transportation Secretary warned that U.S. air travel could "slow to a trickle" if the federal shutdown continues, with more than 1,330 cancellations already reported. Reduced flight schedules—ordered to ease pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers—have hit major hubs including the three NYC airports, O'Hare and Hartsfield‑Jackson. Sunday marked the 40th day of the shutdown and the third day of reduced schedules, raising the prospect of widespread disruption before the November 27 Thanksgiving holiday. Democrats and Republicans traded blame as negotiations stalled over healthcare subsidies and related concessions.
US Air Travel Could "Slow to a Trickle" as Shutdown Threatens Thanksgiving Travel
The Transportation Secretary warned that U.S. air travel could "slow to a trickle" if the federal shutdown continues, with more than 1,330 cancellations already reported. Reduced flight schedules—ordered to ease pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers—have hit major hubs including the three NYC airports, O'Hare and Hartsfield‑Jackson. Sunday marked the 40th day of the shutdown and the third day of reduced schedules, raising the prospect of widespread disruption before the November 27 Thanksgiving holiday. Democrats and Republicans traded blame as negotiations stalled over healthcare subsidies and related concessions.
23:04, 09.11.2025Politics
Air travel across the United States may "slow to a trickle" if the federal government shutdown continues, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Sunday, as thousands of flights were delayed or cancelled and travelers faced growing disruption ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Flight-tracking service FlightAware reported more than 1,330 cancellations on Sunday morning for flights within, to and from the United States. Major hubs hit hardest included the three New York City area airports, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
Warning ahead of Thanksgiving
Speaking on CNN's State of the Union, Duffy said the number of affected flights would multiply if the budget impasse between Democrats and Republicans continued while millions prepare to travel for the holiday on November 27. "It's only going to get worse," he said. "The two weeks before Thanksgiving, you're going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle."
Reduced schedules and staffing pressures
Sunday marked the 40th day of the shutdown and the third day of reduced flight schedules at airports nationwide after the administration ordered cuts intended to ease strain on air traffic controllers working without pay. Duffy told Fox News Sunday that reduced staffing would mean far fewer departures and arrivals: "We're going to see air traffic controllers, very few of them coming to work, which means you'll have a few flights taking off and landing. You're going to have massive disruption (and) a lot of angry Americans."
Political standoff
The transportation secretary blamed Democrats for prolonging the impasse; Democrats pointed the finger at Republicans. Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, said Republicans rejected what he called a "reasonable" compromise and that a key sticking point remained healthcare subsidies and tax credits linked to insurance premiums. On ABC's This Week, Schiff said Democrats' offer was a compromise that aimed to preserve coverage and prevent sharp premium increases.
Context: If the shutdown is not resolved, travelers could face extensive cancellations and delays in the critical two-week window before Thanksgiving, potentially leaving many unable to reach their destinations.
What travelers can do: Check flight statuses with airlines and FlightAware, contact carriers about alternative travel options or refunds, and consider flexible plans in case schedules change. Expect longer lines and possible changes at major airports until the funding dispute is resolved.