Flights keep getting ground down while the shutdown drags on

Flights keep getting ground down while the shutdown drags on

More than 1,400 flights to, from, or within the US were cancelled on Saturday, November 9, 2025, after airlines were told this week to cut traffic during the federal government shutdown. The FAA said it was reducing air travel capacity by up to 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports as air traffic controllers, working without pay, reported fatigue. Newark Liberty International was seeing some of the longest waits, with arrivals delayed by more than four hours on Saturday afternoon and departures delayed by 90 minutes. The worst cancellation totals were at Charlotte/Douglas, Newark Liberty International, and Chicago O’Hare. Flights to John F Kennedy and LaGuardia were also delayed, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International was among the airports hit by lengthy delays.

American Airlines urged party leaders to “reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown.” The FAA also said private jets are being pushed to smaller airports or airfields so busy controllers can focus on commercial aviation.

Gobble's Take: If your gate agent looks haunted, the whole system is probably already doing bad math.

Source: BBC

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