US government shutdown impact: Airports reel under travel chaos; flight delays and cancellations pile up

Flights across the United States faced widespread delays and cancellations over the weekend as the government shutdown entered its second month.

At Newark Airport in New Jersey, passengers waited up to three hours, with delays spreading to other New York City airports. Officials warned traveller to expect “schedule changes, gate holds, and missed connections.”


According to FlightAware, by Sunday evening, there were 4,295 delays and 557 cancellations nationwide. Major hubs like Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, and Miami were also hit.

Shutdown turns longest in US history

The shutdown, which began on October 1, is set to become the longest in US history, surpassing the 35-day record from 2019. It has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 transportation security administration officers to work without pay.

The federal aviation administration (FAA) said controllers were under “stress and fatigue” after more than a month without salaries. Still, many continue working to keep flights moving safely.

Government, airlines sound alarm

Transportation secretary Sean Duffy said safety remains the top priority, even if it means slowing air traffic. “They need support, they need money, they need a paycheck. They don't need to be fired,” he said on CBS’s Face the Nation.

Airlines, including Delta, United, Southwest, and American have joined aviation unions in urging Congress to pass a temporary funding bill — known as a “continuing resolution” — to reopen the government while talks continue.

Partisan standoff stalls relief

Lawmakers remain divided on how to end the shutdown. Republicans are pushing for a “clean” funding measure, while Democrats want to link it to an extension of healthcare subsidies set to expire later this year.

So far, neither side has budged, leaving federal workers unpaid and travellers stranded.

Staff shortage reaches breaking point

Even before the shutdown, the FAA was short around 3,000 air traffic controllers. Now, with thousands unpaid and some calling in sick, staffing shortages are worsening across 35 FAA facilities in major cities like New York, Dallas, Phoenix, and Washington.

Experts warn that the situation could soon mirror the 2019 shutdown, when staffing shortages forced widespread flight cancellations.