More than 1,400 flights were canceled across the United States on Saturday as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continued to implement air traffic reductions at 40 major airports. The cuts, triggered by the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, have entered their second day, causing widespread delays and disruptions for travelers nationwide Fox News CBS News.
The FAA, citing staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, ordered a 10% reduction in flight operations at high-volume airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown persists, cuts could increase to 15% or even 20% in the coming days CBS News Yahoo.
“These are proactive safety measures,” Duffy said. “We’re doing everything we can to maintain safe skies with limited resources.”
Airlines have responded by waiving change fees and offering refunds to affected passengers. Major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, JFK, and LAX have been hit hardest, with ground delay programs in effect due to reduced airspace capacity CBS News.
The shutdown, now in its 39th day, stems from a budget impasse in Congress. With no resolution in sight, the travel industry is bracing for further turmoil just weeks ahead of the busy Thanksgiving holiday season.
