Flight Disruptions Continue as Shutdown Strains Air Travel System

Anxious travelers across the U.S. felt a measure of relief Friday as airlines largely maintained their schedules despite canceling more than 1,000 flights due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Though operations remained relatively stable, uncertainty looms as more flight cancellations are expected in the coming week. Airlines are complying with the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce service at the nation’s busiest airports, a response to increasing numbers of air traffic controllers calling out of work as they face financial strain from missing paychecks.

The crisis has prompted some passengers to create backup plans and reserve rental cars, though Friday’s cancellations represented only a small fraction of overall flights nationwide. Travelers still encountered last-minute cancellations and lengthy security lines at the 40 airports targeted by the slowdown, including major hubs in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver and Charlotte.

Airlines have indicated they expect limited disruptions this weekend and emphasized that international flights should not be affected. However, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Fox News Friday that if the shutdown continues much longer, and more controllers call out after missing their second paycheck on Tuesday, cancellations could increase from the initial 10% reduction to 15% or even 20%.

Reagan National Airport was particularly hard hit, with at least 18% of arrivals – 81 flights – canceled Friday. Major hubs like O’Hare, Atlanta, Denver, and Dallas-Fort Worth also saw significant disruptions, though they lost only about 3% of their scheduled flights.

Not all cancellations stemmed directly from the FAA order, and both United and American Airlines reported they were able to quickly rebook most affected travelers. The airlines have strategically focused their cuts on smaller regional routes to airports where they offer multiple daily flights, helping to minimize passenger impact.

Delta Air Lines scrapped approximately 170 flights Friday, while American planned to cut about 220 flights daily through Monday. Southwest Airlines canceled roughly 120 flights on Friday. The FAA has stated that reductions affecting all commercial carriers are starting at 4% of flights at the busiest airports and will increase to 10% over the coming week.

“I just don’t want to be stranded at the airport sleeping on a bench,” said Michele Cuthbert of Columbus, Ohio, regarding an upcoming flight to Dallas. “Everyone’s paying the price for the politics that’s going on. We’re just collateral damage.”

Some travelers faced more dramatic disruptions. At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, passengers arriving before sunrise encountered security lines that barely moved, with some people resorting to lying down while waiting. Karen Soika from Greenwich, Connecticut, found her flight out of Newark rebooked for an hour earlier, only to discover it was actually departing from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport – at least an hour away. Facing limited options, the surgeon made an unusual decision.

“I’m going to U-Haul and I’m going to drive a truck cross-country,” said Soika, who needed to reach Utah for a weekend trip where she’s advising on medical scenes for a “Yellowstone” TV series spinoff.

Hertz reported a sharp increase in one-way car rentals as travelers seek alternatives.

The FAA’s order comes as staffing issues among air traffic controllers have reached critical levels. Many controllers are working six-day weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out sick as financial strain and exhaustion mount amid missed paychecks.

“I don’t want to see the disruption. I don’t want to see the delays,” Transportation Secretary Duffy told reporters at Ronald Reagan National Airport. The FAA’s flight reduction order will remain in place until safety data improves, even if the government shutdown ends.

Some airports are taking matters into their own hands. Denver International Airport has created a food pantry for its federal employees and has asked the FAA for permission to use airport revenue to pay controllers’ wages, though it has not yet received a response.

The disruption could have broader economic consequences if it continues. Nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft, potentially raising shipping costs for goods if flight reductions persist.

“Air travel is part of the infrastructure backbone of the American economy,” said Greg Raiff, CEO of the Elevate Aviation Group consultancy. “This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel.”

Travel experts advise passengers to be prepared with contingency plans. Christina Schlegel, a travel adviser from Arlington, Virginia, has told her clients not to panic, to monitor their flights closely, and to arrive at airports early.

“People really should be thinking, ‘What else can I do?'” she advised. “‘Can I already research some other potential flights? What other flights are out there?’ Have that information in your back pocket.”