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More than 1,400 flights cancelled across US amid longest government shutdown

Sunday, 09 November 2025 8:34 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 09 November 2025 10:49 AM ]

An American Airlines jetliner parked after taxiing across the tarmac at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, on November 3, 2025. (Photo by AP)

More than 1,400 flights have been cancelled as US air traffic cuts amid the longest government shutdown in American history enter their second day.

The US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week ordered airlines to cut thousands of flights across the United States ahead of the weekend as the agency deals with shortages of air traffic controllers during the longest government shutdown to date.

Aviation experts expect the FAA-mandated cuts gradually ramping up to 10 percent by the end of this week to cause flight delays and cancellations at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports.

Air traffic controllers still on the job have been told to continue working without immediate pay amid the ongoing shutdown of the United States government. Air traffic controllers are deemed essential by the government, requiring them to keep working despite the shutdown.

Flight delays persist at major US airports as government shutdown continues

Air flights continue to be delayed at major US airports amid the ongoing government shutdown.

Also, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association urged its members to continue showing up on the job, despite not being paid by the government due to the shutdown.

Nevertheless, there have been reports of an uptick in workers calling out sick during the shutdown, which has resulted in a staff shortage, and subsequently, air flights being continuously delayed and canceled at major US airports across the United States.

Meanwhile, the federal government’s shutdown, which has turned into the longest such stoppage to date, has sparked mass protests against US President Donald Trump.

In the meantime, neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are ready to compromise to get over the impasse in Congress causing the government shutdown.

Sunday marked the 40th day of the longest shutdown in US history.

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