Which Airports Are Affected by Government Shutdown Today: Full List and Details

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has entered its 36th day, and the situation is worsening for travelers across the country. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that starting Friday, 10% of flights will be cut at 40 major U.S. airports if a funding deal is not reached.

The decision comes amid a growing crisis within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where tens of thousands of employees continue to work without pay. The move could impact millions of passengers and lead to significant disruptions across the nation’s busiest airports.

Flight Cuts at 40 Major Airports Announced

According to Reuters, the U.S. Department of Transportation will begin implementing flight reductions at 40 key airports, including those serving New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas. While the official list of affected airports has not been released, aviation analytics firm Cirium estimates that as many as 1,800 flights could be canceled each day, cutting more than 268,000 passenger seats nationwide.

The FAA explained that the cuts aim to reduce pressure on overworked air traffic controllers, who have been managing record volumes despite widespread absenteeism. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford revealed that 20% to 40% of controllers at major hubs have been unable to report for duty due to financial and fatigue concerns.

Airlines for America, the major trade group representing Delta, United, American, and Southwest Airlines, said members are “working with the federal government to understand all details of the new reduction mandate and will strive to mitigate impacts to passengers and shippers.”

The FAA will reportedly hold a call with major airlines to coordinate how flight restrictions will be applied starting Friday. More cuts could follow if staffing shortages worsen.

Shutdown Impact on Travelers and Airline Industry

The government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, began on October 1 after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a federal funding plan. Nearly 750,000 federal employees have been furloughed, and essential personnel — including 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents — are working without pay.

The result has been severe flight delays, extended security lines, and increased safety concerns at airports. Industry data suggests that over 3.2 million passengers have been affected by delays and cancellations since the start of the shutdown. On Wednesday alone, more than 2,100 flights were delayed across the U.S.

Airline shares dipped about 1% in extended trading following the announcement, as investors weighed the impact of reduced flight capacity and possible declines in ticket bookings if the shutdown drags on.

Broader Implications and What Happens Next

Transportation Secretary Duffy has warned that the situation could escalate further if Congress fails to reach a deal soon. He cautioned that an extended shutdown could lead to “mass chaos” in the air transportation system, including partial closures of U.S. airspace and restrictions on commercial space launches.

Meanwhile, airlines have been pressing lawmakers to resolve the political impasse, citing growing safety concerns and operational risks. The prolonged shutdown has already left low-income Americans without food assistance, shuttered key government offices, and strained critical national services.

The FAA’s flight cut order highlights just how deeply the shutdown is affecting U.S. infrastructure. Travelers are advised to check flight status regularly as cancellations and schedule changes become more likely in the coming days.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Which airports are affected by the government shutdown today?

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said 40 major U.S. airports will see flight cuts, including hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington D.C.

Q2: When will the flight cuts start?

The FAA will begin implementing 10% flight reductions on Friday if Congress does not end the shutdown before then.

Q3: Why are flights being reduced?

The cuts aim to reduce pressure on overworked air traffic controllers, who have been managing increased workloads without pay during the shutdown.

Q4: How many passengers will be affected?

Aviation data firm Cirium estimates that up to 268,000 passenger seats could be lost per day due to the 10% flight reduction plan.

Q5: How long will this situation last?

The restrictions will remain in place until Congress passes a funding bill to end the federal government shutdown.

References

Reuters. (2025). “Trump administration orders 10% of flights cut at major US airports due to shutdown.” November 6, 2025.

Associated Press. (2025). “FAA warns of major flight cuts as shutdown continues.” November 5, 2025.

CNN. (2025). “Airlines brace for cancellations amid extended government shutdown.” November 5, 2025.