Government Shutdown Could Ground One in Five Flights Next Week

A prolonged government shutdown could lead to significant disruptions in air travel, with estimates suggesting that as many as one in five flights may be canceled next week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued this warning on November 7, 2025, as the shutdown entered its 38th day, causing widespread chaos at airports across the United States.

Duffy emphasized that without a resolution, staffing shortages among air traffic controllers could worsen. He stated, “If this shutdown doesn’t end relatively soon, the consequence is that more controllers don’t come to work. I don’t want to see that.” As of 18:00 GMT on Friday, nearly 1,500 flights had already been canceled, alongside an alarming 4,576 delays involving flights within, into, or out of the U.S., according to data from FlightAware.

The economic repercussions of this situation are expected to be severe, with experts indicating that the fallout may exceed initial projections. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, warned, “If the air travel situation deteriorates for another week or two, you could see a near-term downturn.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began implementing cuts on the same day, reducing routes by 4 percent at the country’s busiest airports, with plans to increase this to 10 percent by the following Friday. This reduction will affect all commercial airlines and may lead to further flight cancellations.

Among those impacted is Neil Lyon, who must travel from New Mexico to Houston for a critical cancer-related surgery. With Houston Hobby Airport among the hubs reducing flights, Lyon expressed his concern: “It’s just adding unnecessary stress to a situation that’s already filled with legitimate stress.” He and his wife have devised multiple backup plans but may ultimately resort to a 12-hour drive to reach Houston if their flights are canceled.

The situation at airports is compounded by ongoing staffing challenges. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, noted that even if the government were to reopen soon, the chaos may linger. He stated that controllers are quitting “every day” due to the prolonged shutdown, which is deterring young individuals from entering the profession.

Duffy highlighted the long-term implications of the staffing crisis, remarking, “This makes it more difficult to get the best and the brightest young people to sign up to be air traffic controllers.” He expressed concern that even after the shutdown ends, the recruitment challenges would persist, complicating efforts to restore normal operations at airports.

As the situation develops, travelers across the country remain anxious about their plans, with many facing uncertainty about reaching their destinations in a timely manner. The potential for increased flight cancellations and delays underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing government shutdown.