Overview
- An emergency order that took effect Nov. 7 requires a 4% reduction now, with directives to rise to 6% Tuesday, 8% Thursday and 10% Friday if the shutdown continues.
- FlightAware tracked roughly 800 to 1,000 cancellations on Friday, and Cirium counts more than 1,700 cancellations from Friday through Sunday.
- Airlines are focusing cuts on domestic and regional flights, preserving most long‑haul international service, and are offering fee‑free changes and refunds.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned reductions could expand to 15–20% if staffing strains persist, as delays mounted at major hubs including New York, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and Dallas.
- Because airlines must pre‑cancel days in advance, disruptions may continue even if funding is restored, and the order applies daily between about 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. at the affected airports.