Over 1,200 Flights Cancelled Across US Amid Government Shutdown!

Over 1,200 Flights Cancelled Across US Amid Government Shutdown!

Reported By Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Travel chaos unfolded across the United States on Friday as over 1,200 flights were cancelled, following operational strain caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown under the Trump administration.

Air traffic control staffing shortages, as a result of unpaid federal workers, forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to scale back operations at major airports, affecting both domestic and international travel.

“Controllers are stretched thin. We had no choice but to cut flights to maintain safety,” an FAA official said.

Key Details:

• Major airports affected include New York’s LaGuardia, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, and Washington D.C.’s Reagan National.
• Delays were also reported at airports in Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco.
• Airlines advised passengers to check flight status before heading to airports.

Why It Matters:

• The shutdown is now disrupting critical infrastructure and services, with ripple effects on commerce and mobility.
• Air traffic controllers and other federal workers continue to work without pay, heightening concerns over safety and morale.
• Pressure is mounting on the White House and Congress to reach a resolution.

Citations:

1. FAA Operational Update – Nov. 2025
2. CNN – “Shutdown disrupts US flights,” 2025
3. Reuters – “Over 1,200 flights cancelled amid US government shutdown,” 2025