Government shutdown chaos threatens to devastate Thanksgiving travel as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns air travel will be “reduced to a trickle” due to Congress’s failure to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
Story Overview
- Flight cancellations are escalating from 4% to a potential 20% as air traffic controller shortages worsen.
- 14,792 flights were delayed and 3,788 were canceled over the weekend due to staffing shortfalls.
- Air traffic controllers forced to work without pay, some taking second jobs to survive.
- Senate Republicans rejected Democrat proposal to reopen government, prolonging crisis.
Government Shutdown Creates Aviation Crisis
The Trump administration ordered airlines to cut domestic flights at 40 major airports starting November 7, 2025, beginning with 4% reductions that will escalate to 10% by November 14 if Congress fails to act.
Air traffic controllers and airport security screeners continue working without paychecks during America’s longest government shutdown. Federal workers will miss their second consecutive paycheck Monday, forcing some air traffic controllers to take second jobs while maintaining critical aviation safety responsibilities.
Breaking: Flight cancellations will likely grow if the government shutdown continues, Transportation secretary Sean Duffy warns.
"It's only going to get worse," he said in an interview on CNN. "I look to the two weeks before Thanksgiving, you're going to see air travel be… pic.twitter.com/aQW0mvp3bm
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) November 9, 2025
Thanksgiving Travel Faces Unprecedented Disruption
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy delivered stark warnings about holiday travel disruptions during his CNN appearance Sunday. Flight cuts could reach 20% of domestic schedules, according to Duffy’s Fox News interview, though he provided no timeline for such extreme measures.
Airlines for America reported 71% of Saturday’s delays resulted directly from air traffic staffing shortfalls. The timing couldn’t be worse, with Thanksgiving just three weeks away during the traditionally peak travel season when millions of Americans fly home for the holidays.
Airlines Scramble as Delays Mount Nationwide
Major airports experienced significant disruptions throughout the weekend, including Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, San Francisco International, New York’s JFK, Newark Liberty, Houston Bush Intercontinental, Charlotte Douglas, and Chicago O’Hare.
Nearly 2,200 flights were canceled Saturday alone, representing 7% of the day’s schedule according to aviation firm Cirium. American Airlines issued customer notices acknowledging widespread delays despite FAA-mandated advance cancellations, urging Washington leaders to resolve the shutdown immediately.
Economic Impact Spreads Beyond Aviation
The crisis extends beyond air travel as consumers seek alternative arrangements. Hertz reported one-way car rentals increased 20% compared to the same period last year following the FAA’s flight-cut announcement.
Airlines waived change fees and offered refunds for affected travelers, but many customers face rebooking challenges or scramble for other transportation options. Seaport Research Partners warns airline financial impact could quadruple during Thanksgiving’s high-demand period when fares typically spike dramatically.
This government dysfunction exemplifies Washington’s failure to prioritize basic services that hardworking Americans depend on, especially during cherished family holidays. The administration and Congress must end this destructive standoff that punishes citizens and essential workers while threatening one of America’s most important travel periods.
