More than 5,000 flights across the United States were cancelled or delayed on Friday after new federal orders forced airlines to cut schedules amid the prolonged government shutdown.
The restrictions took effect at 40 of the country’s busiest airports to ease pressure on air traffic controllers and other federal employees still working without pay. Many essential workers have taken second jobs, reported sick, or missed shifts since the shutdown began last month.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directed airlines to reduce flights by 4%, with deeper cuts of up to 10% expected next week. The order affects major hubs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington DC. The FAA warned that controllers are showing fatigue while continuing to maintain air safety standards.
Controllers reach breaking point amid unpaid work
Air traffic controllers are required to stay on duty without pay, making them some of the hardest hit during what has become the longest government shutdown in US history. Unions representing controllers say financial stress and exhaustion are taking a serious toll.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said international routes remain unaffected because of binding global aviation agreements. However, he warned that domestic chaos could deepen. In an interview, he said flight cuts might rise to 20% if the shutdown continues and more controllers are forced to miss work.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, accused lawmakers of turning controllers into political pawns. “We’ll keep doing our jobs and keeping passengers safe,” he said. “But we can’t pay ourselves. Congress must reopen the government.”
Beyond aviation, the shutdown has caused major national disruptions, including delays in food aid programmes and community funding.
Passengers stranded and frustrated across the country
At airports nationwide, travellers faced long queues, confusion, and frustration as cancellations piled up. Airlines such as Delta, United, and American offered waivers, refunds, and rebooking options, even for passengers whose flights were not directly affected.
Joe Sullivan was already in an Uber to Reagan National Airport in Washington DC when he got the alert that his flight to Atlanta had been cancelled. He was flying to his cousin’s wedding. “I got rebooked twelve hours later,” he said. “I might still make the ceremony, but I’ll miss everything else.”
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, one of the world’s busiest, is among those ordered to cut flights.
Some travellers switched to trains or buses. One woman said she spent $300 on a seven-hour train ride after her short flight was cancelled. Another passenger, Ndenisarya Meekins, had her flight to New York cancelled too. “We had plans, and it’s stressful not knowing if we’ll get there,” she said. “It’s hard to relax when you know the controllers are overworked and unpaid.”
She added that her heart goes out to all unpaid airport staff. “They’re still showing up and doing their jobs. That deserves respect,” she said.
Federal worker Ariana Jakovljevic, who has not been paid during the shutdown, said the crisis has shaken her faith in government. “I just started my first full-time job,” she said. “I thought things would be stable, but now I’m just waiting for it to end.”
Frequent flyer Ben Sauceda said he feels uneasy trusting a system under such pressure. “Air traffic controllers are incredible,” he said. “But they’re being pushed beyond limits. The government needs to end this mess now.”
Washington deadlocked as talks stall again
The shutdown has now lasted 38 days, with no clear sign of resolution. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have resumed talks, but deep political divisions remain.
On Friday, Democrats presented a new funding proposal, but it is unlikely to pass. The Senate requires 60 votes to approve any bill, and Republicans hold only 53 seats. Republicans have repeatedly voted for short-term funding measures, while Democrats refuse to support any plan that excludes healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans.
Republicans accuse Democrats of holding the government hostage over unrelated policy goals. Democrats say Republicans are refusing to compromise.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said negotiations would continue through the weekend and told senators to stay in Washington in case of a vote. The House of Representatives remains out of session.
President Donald Trump again called for ending the Senate’s filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes for most bills, to allow Republicans to pass funding without Democratic support. Lawmakers from both parties rejected the idea.
Still, Trump repeated his call on Friday. “If they can’t reach a deal, Republicans should end the filibuster and take care of our great American workers,” he wrote on Truth Social.
