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Flight Cancellations Surge as FAA Caps Operations at 40 Airports

The agency cites safety risks from unpaid, short-staffed control towers.

Overview

  • More than 1,100 U.S. flights were canceled by Sunday morning, following over 1,500 on Saturday, with thousands more delayed, FlightAware data show.
  • The FAA’s 4% reduction in daily flights that began Friday is scheduled to rise to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by Nov. 14 at 40 major airports.
  • Newark Liberty faced a major ground stop Sunday, with the FAA holding more than 500 inbound flights, as delays spread to New York–area hubs, Atlanta and Chicago.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned air travel could “slow to a trickle” before Thanksgiving and said cuts could increase to 15%–20% if the shutdown persists.
  • Air traffic controllers have gone weeks without pay, with rising absenteeism and retirements reported by officials and the controllers’ union, which says many are working extended shifts.