Travel Turmoil Hits The US As Flights Slashed Amid Government Shutdown

Thousands of travelers across the United States are facing chaos at airports as the country’s ongoing government shutdown begins to severely disrupt air travel. Airlines have been forced to slash flight schedules by up to 10% in major air traffic zones, following a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order citing safety concerns.

By early Friday, more than 750 flights had already been canceled nationwide, with major carriers like American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest announcing hundreds more daily cancellations. The order affects 40 high-traffic areas, including major hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Newark.

Long Lines, Delays, And Mounting Frustration

At Boston Logan, Newark Liberty, and Chicago O’Hare airports, passengers faced delays stretching over two hours, with some travelers stuck in terminals overnight trying to rebook. On Thursday alone, more than 6,400 flights were delayed across the US, and airport security lines snaked far beyond usual checkpoints due to staffing shortages.

The ripple effect was immediate on social media, with hashtags like #TravelShutdown and #FAAChaos trending across X (formerly Twitter). Many travelers shared stories of missing weddings, job interviews, and connecting flights. One user wrote, “It feels like COVID travel all over again except this time it’s our own government causing the mess.”

FAA Moves To Prevent A “Safety Crisis”

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the decision to cut flights was made to prevent potential accidents. “We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself,” he said. “The early indicators are telling us to act now before things deteriorate.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed this, insisting that flying remains safe despite the disruption. “It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” he wrote on X.

Thanksgiving Travel Season Under Threat

The timing could not be worse. The United States is entering its peak travel period ahead of Thanksgiving, when millions of Americans take to the skies. With airlines now implementing rolling flight reductions starting at 4% and rising to 10%, experts warn of an unprecedented backlog heading into the holidays.

United and Delta have confirmed compliance with the FAA order, but both say their international and hub-to-hub flights will remain unaffected meaning it’s local and regional routes that will bear the brunt.

Workers Without Pay, System Under Strain

The government shutdown has left around 1.4 million federal employees without pay, including tens of thousands of air traffic controllers and security staff. Many have reportedly begun calling in sick or taking second jobs to stay afloat.

“This is new territory,” Bedford admitted. “In my 35 years in aviation, I’ve never seen a situation like this.”

The shutdown, which began after Congress failed to approve funding by September 30, has already crippled several federal agencies. But with the FAA now forced to cut capacity to maintain safety, the consequences are hitting ordinary travelers the hardest.

As the holiday rush looms, Americans are bracing for more cancellations and more turbulence in the weeks ahead.

{Source: EWN}

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