Explained: US shutdown crisis hits the skies as 40 major airports prepare to cut flights

Air travel in the US is on the brink of major disruption as the government shutdown enters record-breaking territory. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that up to 4,000 domestic flights per day could be cut at around 40 of the country’s busiest airports if the political impasse continues, citing severe staffing strain on unpaid air traffic controllers . The move would represent one of the most significant reductions to US air travel outside of extreme weather or national emergencies.


Why the cuts are happening
The shutdown began when Congress failed to pass a federal funding bill, forcing about 1.4 million federal workers either into unpaid work or onto forced leave. Air traffic controllers, classified as essential personnel, are still required to work but have not received pay since the shutdown began. Unions say many are facing acute financial and psychological stress, leading to fatigue, illness, and the need to take second jobs to cover basic expenses.

According to FAA officials, the reduction in flight volume is intended to maintain safety standards. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the system was reaching a point where it could no longer operate at full capacity without risking errors.

“This shutdown is unlike anything we have seen,” Bedford said. “Controllers have not been paid for a month, and we are seeing pressures build in a way that cannot go unchecked if we are to maintain the safest airspace in the world.”


How the cuts will roll out
The reductions are planned to begin gradually. According to briefings reported by Reuters and other US media:

• 4% reduction in domestic flights will begin on Friday
• Rising to 5–6% over the weekend
• Up to 10%, or roughly 3,500–4,000 flights per day, by next week

The final list of airports affected is expected to include high-traffic hubs such as:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
• Dallas/Fort Worth International
• Denver International
• Chicago O’Hare International
• Los Angeles International

International flights are not expected to be affected at this stage.


Airlines prepare for disruption
Major carriers are awaiting formal schedules to determine which flights will be cancelled. American Airlines said it expects the majority of customers to travel as planned, but warned adjustments are likely. Southwest Airlines and other airlines have made similar statements, urging Congress to resolve the funding deadlock before widespread disruption unfolds.

Industry groups say the situation is unsustainable. Some airports have already seen delays in recent weeks when controllers called out sick or had to be reassigned.


Worker fatigue at the breaking point
Reports from air traffic employees paint a stark picture. Some have described working overnight shifts and then delivering food for services like DoorDash to make ends meet. Others say they are sleeping only two hours a night while juggling a second job and full-time air traffic duties.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has warned that the pressure is pushing the system toward a safety tipping point. “Right now, there is no predictability,” one controller said, speaking anonymously to NPR. “We are simply trying to get through each day.”


What happens next
If the shutdown continues, additional restrictions on flight operations may follow. FAA officials stressed that while air travel remains safe, the system cannot keep functioning under prolonged financial and staffing strain.

The message from the aviation sector is unified: the shutdown must end to restore stability.

Until then, passengers have been advised to monitor their airline schedules closely and prepare for possible last-minute delays or cancellations.