Washington, D.C. — U.S. airlines canceled nearly 1,200 flights on Tuesday, marking the fifth straight day of cancellations topping 1,000 as the federal government’s mandatory flight reductions remain in place to address aviation safety and staffing concerns.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), flight reductions began on November 7, with airlines instructed to cut 4% of daily flights at 40 major airports nationwide due to persistent air traffic control staffing shortages.
Rising Reductions Amid Shutdown
The cuts increased to 6% on Tuesday and are expected to reach 10% by Friday, November 14, the highest reduction since the policy began. Officials say the cuts are temporary but may continue until staffing levels stabilize as the 42-day government shutdown nears its expected conclusion.
“There are a number of different options being discussed for how the FAA might end or shrink the flight cuts,” sources told Reuters.
The FAA and airline executives are currently in talks to determine when the restrictions can safely be lifted.
Legislative Action and Shutdown Developments
On Monday night, the U.S. Senate approved legislation to end the shutdown and fund the government through January 30. The House of Representatives is set to consider the measure on Wednesday.
The record-setting shutdown, now in its sixth week, has severely impacted federal operations. 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have continued to work without pay, creating growing tension across the aviation industry.
Travel Disruptions Nationwide
Airline operations have been heavily affected since October 1, when the shutdown began. Over the weekend alone, 1.2 million passengers faced cancellations or severe delays due to air traffic controller absences.
“Air traffic absences have led to tens of thousands of flight cancellations and delays since Oct. 1,” the FAA confirmed.
According to FlightAware, airlines delayed more than 1,300 flights on Tuesday, following 2,900 cancellations and 9,600 delays on Monday.
Despite the challenges, FAA officials reported some improvement in staffing by Tuesday, noting that only one staffing issue was recorded that day — compared to two dozen on Monday.
White House Response
President Donald Trump took a firm stance on Monday, threatening to dock the pay of any air traffic controller who fails to return to work and stating that he would “welcome the resignations” of those not fulfilling their duties.
“We expect full accountability and dedication from those entrusted with the safety of the skies,” Trump said, reiterating his administration’s position on workforce attendance during the shutdown.
Staffing Shortages and Long-Term Strain
The FAA remains about 3,500 controllers short of its target staffing levels, forcing many to work six-day weeks and mandatory overtime even before the shutdown began. Airline officials have warned that prolonged shortages could delay recovery even after the government reopens.
Aviation analysts note that while temporary flight reductions may improve safety oversight in the short term, the economic and logistical toll on airlines and passengers continues to mount.
What are your thoughts on how the FAA and airlines should handle this ongoing crisis? Share your views in the comments below.
