FAA Reductions Lead to 1,500 Flight Cancellations at U.S. Airports Across the Country

More than 1,500 flights were canceled and hundreds more delayed across the United States early Monday as the nation entered its 41st day of the ongoing government shutdown, marking another major disruption in air travel, as reported by the New York Post.

According to FlightAware, the cancellations affected some of the country’s largest airports, including Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where 11% of incoming flights and 5% of outgoing flights — more than 200 total — had been scrapped as of 8 a.m. Monday.

Chicago’s two major airports were also heavily impacted, with more than 300 flights canceled at O’Hare International Airport and more than 100 at Chicago Midway.

The ripple effect spread nationwide, with more than 1,300 flights within, into, or out of the United States delayed early Monday.

New York City’s three major airports — LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, and John F. Kennedy International — all reported widespread disruptions. LaGuardia canceled 61 departing flights (10%) and 58 arriving flights (10%), Newark canceled 47 departures (8%) and 39 arrivals (6%), while JFK reported 30 outgoing flights (4%) and 49 incoming flights (7%) canceled.

The mass cancellations followed what officials described as the worst day for air travel since the government shutdown began.

On Sunday alone, nearly 3,000 flights were canceled and more than 10,800 were delayed, leaving passengers stranded at airports nationwide.

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Monday marked the fourth consecutive day of reduced staffing by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which confirmed that it has been forced to cut 10% of its workforce at 40 high-volume airports due to the shutdown.

The staffing reductions have strained air traffic control operations and contributed to growing delays and cancellations.

The travel disruptions come amid ongoing gridlock in Washington, with no resolution yet in sight for the shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history.

Airlines have warned of continued impacts if the situation persists, citing staffing shortages and reduced capacity at key facilities.

Transportation analysts say the cumulative effect of delayed maintenance, training pauses, and air traffic slowdowns could take weeks to resolve even after the shutdown ends.

Major carriers have begun issuing travel waivers for affected passengers, allowing rebooking without fees in certain regions.

NEW: The government shutdown has crippled U.S. air travel, with Sunday being the WORST DAY YET since the shutdown began, with over 10,000 delays and 2,800 cancellations.

Today’s chaos continues: 933 delays and 1,516 cancellations ALREADY.

Fox & Friends: “A nightmare combination… pic.twitter.com/fQStPYZICM

— Capt Kyle (@CaptKylePatriot) November 10, 2025

As the shutdown continues into its seventh week, the strain on the aviation system has become one of the most visible consequences, affecting both business and leisure travelers across the country.

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