Sun Nov 09 23:00:57 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
A government shutdown is crippling U.S. air travel. As of November 9, 2025, over 2,100 flights were cancelled, and 7,000 delayed. The FAA has ordered flight cuts at major airports due to unpaid air traffic controllers not showing up for work. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns that if the shutdown continues, air travel could “slow to a trickle” by Thanksgiving, causing massive disruption and angering travelers. He attributes the issue to Democratic actions, while the Democrats blame the shutdown. The situation is exacerbated by accelerated retirements of controllers and potential, though uncertain, help from military air traffic control.
News Article:
Shutdown Sparks Air Travel Chaos; Thanksgiving Travel at Risk
Washington D.C. – November 10, 2025 – The ongoing federal government shutdown has thrown U.S. air travel into disarray, with thousands of flights cancelled and delayed as air traffic controllers, unpaid for nearly a month, stay home.
On Sunday, November 9th, over 2,100 flights were cancelled and another 7,000 delayed nationwide. The FAA has implemented flight cuts at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, starting at 4% on Friday, November 7th, and scheduled to rise to 10% by November 14th. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta was hit hardest with over 570 cancellations, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey with at least 265.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy paints a grim picture, warning that Thanksgiving travel could be severely impacted. “As I look two weeks out, as we get closer to Thanksgiving travel, I think what’s going to happen is you’re going to have air travel slow to a trickle as everyone wants to travel to see their families,” he stated. He suggested further flight cuts, potentially up to 20%, may be necessary if controllers continue to miss work.
The situation is compounded by an existing shortage of air traffic controllers and an increase in early retirements, with Mr. Duffy estimating up to 20 retirements per day. An offer of assistance from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, offering military air traffic controllers, remains uncertain due to certification requirements for civilian systems.
Secretary Duffy denied accusations the cancellations are a political tactic, attributing the disruptions to safety concerns, stating, “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.”
Airlines for America, a trade group representing U.S. carriers, reported that controller staffing-related delays exceeded 3,000 hours on Saturday, November 8th, and that controller shortages have disrupted more than 4 million passengers between October 1st and November 7th.
The travel industry is bracing for further disruptions as the shutdown continues, and travelers are urged to check their flight status and prepare for potential delays or cancellations.
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