“Government Shutdown Triggers Flight Reductions at Major U.S. Airports”

Major airports in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as several other key hubs in the U.S., are set to experience a reduction in flights beginning Friday due to the government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) disclosed plans on Wednesday to decrease air traffic by 10% in 40 major markets to ensure travel safety amidst signs of strain among air traffic controllers during the ongoing shutdown.

The impacted airports include major travel hubs such as Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco. Some of the largest cities, including New York, Houston, and Chicago, will have multiple airports affected by the flight cuts.

In response to inquiries from CBC News, both the FAA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have yet to provide further details. The FAA, in an automated response, cited a funding lapse as the reason for not addressing routine media queries.

The FAA is implementing these flight reductions to alleviate the burden on unpaid air traffic controllers who have been increasingly absent from work during the shutdown. These controllers have missed one paycheck already, with another expected to be missed next week as the financial strain continues.

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Airlines have expressed their intention to minimize disruptions for travelers. United Airlines, for instance, plans to focus the flight cuts on smaller regional routes utilizing aircraft like the Boeing 737.

Passengers can expect notifications on flight cancellations starting Thursday. The FAA recommends that travelers download their airline’s app and enable notifications. Airlines such as United and Delta Air Lines have stated they will provide refunds to passengers opting not to travel, even for non-refundable tickets.

WATCH | Some of the busiest U.S. airports will see fewer flights:

U.S. government shutdown to force domestic flight reductions

November 6, 2025|

Duration 2:39

Passengers at some of the busiest U.S. airports will experience reduced domestic flight services as the Federal Aviation Administration initiates air traffic reductions from Friday onwards. Air traffic controllers in the U.S. have been working without pay since October 1 as the government shutdown enters its second month.</span