Flight Chaos Deepens: Over 700 Cancellations Saturday As FAA Limits Capacity Amid Shutdown

November 9, 2025

Air travel disruptions escalated sharply Saturday morning, with 754 flights already canceled nationwide as of 6 a.m. ET, threatening to surpass Friday’s grim toll of 1,024 cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing to limit flight capacity at 40 major U.S. airports as the government shutdown drags on into its second month.

The capacity restrictions are a direct response to persistent staffing issues in air traffic control towers and centers, which have led to significant delays persisting across the country.

The FAA’s measure reduces flights by 10 percent at the impacted airports, including major hubs like Miami and San Francisco International Airport. The flight reductions, which began Friday, mark the latest—and perhaps most considerable—disruption to air travel since the shutdown began.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that more significant reductions could be implemented if the government shutdown continues.

“My hope is that this government shutdown will end soon and we can get back in the business of letting Americans travel,” Duffy stated to ABC News on Friday.

Duffy noted the Department of Transportation may instruct airlines to cancel more than 10% of their flights if the number of air traffic controller call-outs continues to rise.

To help ease pressure on the 40 impacted airports, Duffy revealed that the FAA has asked private jet operators to voluntarily avoid flying to those airports. Duffy confirmed that private jet companies have been cooperative, opting for alternate airports despite not being formally prohibited from using the restricted hubs.

The FAA decided against cutting any international flights. Secretary Duffy explained that impacting international routes would constitute a violation of international agreements, which could have long-lasting negative consequences for U.S. carriers.

“We have international agreements that we abide by… if I do [impact those flights], what will happen is we have other countries that are waiting to have a breach of those contracts from the US so they can cut down American flights,” Duffy said.

As travelers face mounting uncertainty and delays, all eyes remain on Washington for a resolution to the political impasse that is now directly hindering the nation’s air traffic system.

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