U.S. Flight Delays Surge as Air Traffic Controller Shortages Deepen
Hundreds of thousands of travelers faced severe flight delays and cancellations on Sunday — the worst day for air travel disruptions since the start of the U.S. government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the situation could deteriorate further as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
According to flight data, more than 2,800 flights were canceled and over 10,200 were delayed across the U.S. on Sunday. It marked the third straight day of government-mandated flight cuts triggered by a worsening air traffic controller shortage, following thousands of disruptions over the weekend.
The 40-day federal shutdown has left many controllers unpaid, causing a surge in retirements and staff shortages.
“It’s only going to get worse. Two weeks before Thanksgiving, air travel could slow to a trickle,” Duffy said on CNN’s State of the Union.
Thanksgiving, which falls on November 27, is typically one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, “many people will not be able to fly because there simply won’t be enough flights operating.”
Late Sunday, the U.S. Senate advanced a bill to end the shutdown, sending airline stocks higher in premarket trading Monday. United Airlines led gains with a 1.9% rise, while Delta and American Airlines gained 1.4%, and Alaska Air rose 1%. However, the bill must still pass the House of Representatives and receive President Donald Trump’s signature, a process that could take several days.
Flight Cuts and Staffing Crisis
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered airlines to cut 4% of daily flights at 40 major airports, with reductions set to rise to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by November 14 due to safety concerns linked to understaffing.
Airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines have already begun adjusting schedules, with United set to cancel 190 flights on Monday and 269 on Tuesday. The FAA reported staffing issues at 12 control towers, as controller retirements have accelerated from 4 per day before the shutdown to 15–20 daily now.
The shutdown’s economic fallout is also expanding. Airlines for America, which represents major U.S. carriers, said staffing shortages have disrupted travel for over 4 million passengers since October 1, estimating a daily economic loss of $285 million to $580 million.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett warned that travel disruptions could weigh on fourth-quarter GDP growth, noting that Thanksgiving is “one of the hottest times of the year for the economy.”
If staffing continues to deteriorate, Duffy has indicated that flight cuts could reach 20% nationwide, intensifying pressure on airlines, travelers, and the broader economy.
