FAA Slashes Flights at 40 Airports Amid 2025 Shutdown

FAA Cuts Flights at 40 Airports Amid 2025 Government Shutdown

As the US government shutdown extends into its sixth week on 7 November 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed flight reductions at 40 major airports, causing widespread travel disruptions. These cuts aim to address severe air traffic control shortages and prevent controller fatigue by reducing operations by 10%.

Impact on Flights and Passengers

On the first day of the cuts, more than 790 flights disappeared from schedules, leaving up to 268,000 passengers stranded daily. This has heightened concerns about potential delays during the holiday travel season amid ongoing airline cancellations.

"This aviation safety crisis, driven by mandatory unpaid overtime for controllers working six days a week, affects not only travelers but also the broader economy by delaying package deliveries and disrupting business meetings."

Airports Affected and Flight Reduction Timeline

The FAA's order targets 40 high-traffic airports across more than two dozen states. Flight operations began decreasing by 4% on 7 November, with planned escalations to 10% by 14 November, between 6 a.m. local time.

Economic Ripple Effects

The ongoing flight reductions contribute to economic slowdowns caused by the shutdown, impacting logistics and business operations beyond just passenger travel.

Author's summary: The 2025 government shutdown is causing significant FAA flight cuts at 40 major airports, severely disrupting travel and the economy due to air traffic controller shortages.

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International Business Times International Business Times — 2025-11-07

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