Worst aviation day since US govt shutdown: Over 10,000 delays, 2,700 cancellations; FAA cuts flights amid staff shortages

NEW DELHI: Air travel across the United States plunged into deeper chaos on Sunday as more than 10,000 flights were delayed and over 2,700 cancelled, marking the worst aviation disruption since the federal government shutdown began.

The mounting crisis, now in its third day, stems from severe staffing shortages among unpaid air traffic controllers and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-mandated flight reductions. According to FlightAware, the disruptions spread across 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, affecting millions of travellers. Delta Air Lines was among the hardest hit, cancelling or delaying more than half of its mainline flights.

“More controllers aren’t coming to work day by day, the further they go without a paycheck,” US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Fox News Sunday, warning that air traffic could “slow to a trickle” if the shutdown continues into the Thanksgiving travel period. The FAA last week ordered airlines to cut flight schedules after unpaid controllers began calling in sick or opting for early retirement. The reductions started at 4% on Friday and are set to rise to 10% by November 14, covering operations between 6 a.m.

and 10 p.m. local time. Duffy said the cuts could increase to 20% if staffing levels continue to drop. By Sunday afternoon, FlightAware had reported more than 1,700 cancellations and nearly 5,000 delays. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta led with 173 cancellations, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey with 115. The FAA said staffing shortages at Newark and LaGuardia airports caused average departure delays of about 75 minutes.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, one of the country’s busiest, saw unusually empty terminals and minimal security lines as cancellations filled departure boards. Duffy said the shortage of air traffic controllers—an issue persisting for years—had worsened under the shutdown. “Up to 15 or 20 a day are retiring,” he told CNN, adding that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had offered to lend military air traffic controllers, though it is unclear if they are certified for civilian systems. Rejecting accusations from Democrats that the cancellations were politically driven, Duffy said, “I needed to take action to keep people safe. I’m doing what I can in a mess that Democrats have put in my lap.” The FAA’s measures come as essential employees, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff, continue working without pay. High absenteeism rates among these workers have disrupted tower operations, extended security wait times, and forced the FAA to reduce capacity at major airports to maintain safety standards. Industry group Airlines for America said staffing-related delays exceeded 3,000 hours on Saturday alone—the highest since the shutdown began—and accounted for 71% of total delay time. From October 1 to November 7, controller shortages have disrupted travel for more than 4 million passengers. As the crisis deepens, concerns are rising about aviation safety and operational continuity. Duffy warned of escalating consequences if the impasse is not resolved soon. “You’re going to have massive disruption. I think a lot of angry Americans. I think we have to be honest about where this is going. It doesn’t get better. It gets worse until these air traffic controllers are going to be paid,” he said.