Overview
- Airlines began a 4% reduction Friday at the FAA’s direction, leading to more than 1,000 cancellations and over 5,000 delays, with cuts set to reach 10% by November 14.
- The FAA schedule calls for 6% reductions on Tuesday, 8% on Thursday, and 10% next Friday, and the agency says the limits will stay until safety data improves.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned cuts could reach 15% to 20% if staffing worsens while the shutdown continues.
- Major carriers reported targeted cancellations: American about 220 per day, Delta roughly 170 on Friday, Southwest around 100–150 this weekend, and United 184 on Friday with further cuts through early next week.
- Washington Reagan National was among the hardest hit, with average delays near four hours, as controller callouts and resignations persisted; passengers are being rebooked, refunds are required for canceled flights, and analysts warn reduced passenger flights could squeeze belly cargo capacity.