US airlines scramble to change schedules after the FAA ordered flight reductions at major airports due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

The reductions in airspace capacity will start Friday, the 37th day of the shutdown, and just ahead of the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Wednesday that it would cut 10% of air traffic at 40 of the country’s busiest airports beginning Friday, a move that could lead to the cancellation of thousands of flights nationwide.

U.S. airlines began canceling hundreds of flights Thursday due to the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce traffic at the country’s busiest airports starting Friday because of the government shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce flights at dozens of major airports as early as Friday if no shutdown deal is reached, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced at a news conference Wednesday.

As the government shutdown continues, causing flight delays and prompting an unprecedented move by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide, the security gates at San Francisco International Airport remain intact.

Starting Friday, airports will follow the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) directive to reduce flights as a result of the government shutdown, impacting air travel for millions of

Senators Tim Kaine of Virginia and Adam B. Schiff of California, both Democrats, and Mr. Paul brought up the resolution under the 1973 War Powers Act, a law that requires swift action on a measure to put an end to unauthorized overseas hostilities.

N.Y., said on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, that the current staffing problems at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may be linked to recent layoffs.