US flight cancellations pile up as air traffic controllers go unpaid

US flight cancellations pile up as air traffic controllers go unpaid

On November 8, 2025, more than 1,000 flights were cancelled across the US, with LAX among the 40 airports affected by the FAA's capacity cuts. A BBC reporter arriving at Los Angeles International Airport found conditions calmer than expected — TSA lines were normal and airport flow was smoother than anticipated, despite the disruptions elsewhere. The FAA's flight reduction directive remained in place, and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy had warned that flight capacity could be cut by up to 20% if the government shutdown continued. Nearly 5,500 delays were also recorded across US airports on the same day.

Gobble's Take: Over 1,000 cancellations and 5,500 delays in one day, with air traffic controllers still unpaid. Source: BBC

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