Why is the U.S. cancelling flights and how will Canadians be impacted?

Why the U.S. Is Cancelling Flights and the Impact on Canadians

The ongoing government shutdown, now in its 37th day, has caused significant flight cancellations at major U.S. airports due to staffing shortages, affecting thousands of daily flights. Canadian travelers heading to the U.S. should prepare for possible disruptions.

Flight Cancellations and Airline Responses

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it would start reducing flights at 40 airports as early as Friday, November 7. The cancellations will escalate from 4% of daily flights to 10% early next week, potentially cancelling up to 1,800 flights each day, according to ABC News.

Canada's largest airlines are actively monitoring the situation. Air Canada and WestJet have reported no immediate impact on their operations.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation and proactively manage our operations to minimize any potential disruptions going forward,” a WestJet spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

“At this point, we are maintaining our normal schedule, but for customers who may be connecting onto U.S. domestic flights operated by our partner, United Airlines, we have put in place a goodwill policy to allow them to change or defer their travel with no change fee,” Air Canada stated.

### Summary of Potential Impacts for Canadian Travelers

Canadian travelers should keep a close eye on flight updates, especially for connections within the United States.

Author's summary: The U.S. government shutdown is causing growing flight cancellations that may disrupt Canadian travelers, though airlines are working hard to manage and minimize impacts.

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The Hamilton Spectator The Hamilton Spectator — 2025-11-06

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