US Flight Delays Worsen as FAA Expands Cuts Amid Government Shutdown

Air travelers across the United States are bracing for another week of severe disruptions as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) intensifies flight restrictions at 40 major airports. The worsening crisis comes amid the ongoing government shutdown, which has left thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers, working without pay.

Officials said Monday that the FAA will roll out deeper cuts to flights this week, escalating from 4% to 10% by the end of the week. The move, they said, is necessary to ensure safety as staffing shortages grow.

Cancellations Surge Nationwide

Over 2,300 flights were cancelled Monday, and another 1,000 were grounded for Tuesday, according to aviation data. Airlines have struggled to keep up with the operational chaos, as grounded planes and scattered crews create a domino effect of delays across the country.

Since Friday, roughly 8,000 flights have been cancelled nationwide. The hardest-hit airports include Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Nashville, where staffing shortages and wintry weather compounded the disruptions.

Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that Sunday was the fourth worst day for flight cancellations in nearly two years, with one in ten flights scrapped.

FAA and Controllers Under Pressure

The FAA’s staffing crisis stems from air traffic controllers working without pay for over a month. Many have called out of work, citing exhaustion and financial strain, forcing the agency to reduce flight operations for safety reasons.

President Donald Trump took to social media urging controllers to “get back to work, NOW!!!” while proposing a $10,000 bonus for those still working. However, lawmakers criticized his comments, saying controllers need support, not pressure.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association warned that controllers are being used as “political pawns,” with union president Nick Daniels noting that retirements and resignations are rising sharply.

Airlines Struggle to Reorganize Operations

Aviation expert Mike Taylor from J.D. Power said airlines now face logistical chaos. “Planes are stranded at the wrong airports. Crews are out of position. It will take days, even weeks, to restore normal schedules,” he said.

The FAA also expanded restrictions on private and business jets, limiting access to a dozen major airports already under commercial flight limits.

Travelers’ Frustration Grows

Passengers nationwide expressed anger and exhaustion as delays mounted.
“All of this has real negative consequences for millions of Americans,” said Todd Walker, who missed his mother’s 80th birthday after his flight was cancelled. “It’s unnecessary and avoidable.”

Families of air traffic controllers are also feeling the strain. Amy Lark, a controller based near Washington, D.C., said her children recently asked how long they could stay in their home. “We’re doing everything we can to stay committed, but the uncertainty is hard,” she said.

Hope Rests on Congress

The US Senate passed a funding bill Monday night to end the shutdown, but the House of Representatives still needs to approve it before the President can sign it into law. Until then, the FAA’s restrictions will remain, and disruptions could worsen.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has confirmed that flight cuts will continue until staffing levels stabilize at control facilities. Even after the shutdown ends, airlines will need time to locate aircraft, reassign staff, and restore normal schedules.

As the political standoff continues, millions of travelers remain stranded or delayed — a stark reminder of how deeply the government shutdown is impacting everyday American life.