More than 800 flights cut across the US in government paralysis

More than 800 flights cut across the US amid government paralysis

Travellers across the United States experienced significant disruptions on Friday as the Trump administration implemented flight reductions to relieve pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers. The decision came amid a deadlock in Congress over federal budget funding.

Nationwide flight cancellations

According to FlightAware, more than 800 flights scheduled for Friday were cancelled—exceeding totals from the past three days combined. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that approximately three percent of US flights had been cancelled so far.

Airports affected

Forty major airports, including Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles, were instructed to slow operations as the reductions rolled out. The curbs began at four percent and could increase to ten percent next week if a funding deal remains unresolved.

Budget stand-off and impact

With Republicans and Democrats locked in a stalemate over spending priorities such as healthcare, Congress has halted all federal appropriations. As a result, many government employees, including airport staff, are either furloughed or working without pay, waiting for the nearly six-week crisis to end.

Travellers face delays and scramble for alternatives, threatening holiday travel and nationwide connectivity.

Uncertain outlook

The overall impact of the flight reductions remained uncertain early Friday, though expectations were for a gradual escalation if the funding impasse continued.

Author’s summary: A political funding deadlock has led to widespread US flight cancellations and unpaid air traffic control operations, raising travel uncertainty nationwide.

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South China Morning Post South China Morning Post — 2025-11-07

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