United States’ Longest Shutdown Paralyzes Air Travel
The United States experienced the longest federal government shutdown in its history this fall ? a 42-day closure from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, which triggered severe staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities nationwide. The shortages forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to order airlines to cut flight operations at 40 major airports, resulting in widespread delays and cancellations for millions of travelers.
The FAA first directed carriers to reduce schedules by 4% beginning Nov. 7. The cuts expanded to 6% by Nov. 11, with a further increase to 10% under consideration. That escalation was put on hold as staffing levels began improving and lawmakers moved forward with emergency funding. On Nov. 12, the House passed a bill to fund the government through Jan. 30, 2026. President Donald Trump signed it later that day, formally ending the shutdown.
As flight disruptions mounted, Trump took an increasingly forceful public position. On Nov. 10, he ordered all air traffic controllers to return to work and warned that those who continued to stay home could face pay cuts. He also suggested that some should resign if unwilling to report for duty. At the same time, he praised controllers who worked without pay and said he would recommend $10,000 bonuses for those who remained on the job throughout the shutdown.
“For those Air Traffic Controllers who … didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person,” Trump posted on social media. “For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off … I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU.” The shutdown’s toll on air travel was sharp and immediate. On Nov. 10 alone, airlines canceled about 2,400 flights and delayed 9,600. Over the weekend of Nov. 8 and 9, an estimated 1.2 million passengers faced disruptions. On Nov. 8, FAA shortages peaked with 81 staffing incidents, affecting traffic at multiple control centers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the return of personnel helped stabilize the system but warned that without congressional action, flight operations could have collapsed. Speaking at a briefing in Chicago, he stressed that cuts to airline schedules would remain in place until conditions allowed for safe restoration. “When that data changes, we’re going to start taking that down from 6%, maybe we’ll go to four, two, and get back to normal air travel,” he said.
By Nov. 12, FAA-reported staffing issues had dropped sharply. Only four incidents were reported on Nov. 11, compared with more than 80 just days earlier. Airlines began cautiously restoring schedules, with some carriers delaying planned flight cuts as conditions improved. Officials said future adjustments would depend on available staffing and safety assessments.
Sean Jung R&D Division Director teen/1764139303/1613367592
1. Who ordered airlines to reduce flight operations as nationwide air traffic staffing shortages worsened?
2. What changes occurred in FAA-reported staffing incidents once more personnel returned to duty?
3. Who signed the emergency funding bill that officially ended the long federal shutdown?
4. Why did the FAA mandate schedule cuts at airports experiencing severe staffing shortages nationwide?
1. Would it change your travel choices if airlines repeatedly canceled flights because staffing shortages kept getting worse?
2. Would you reconsider flying altogether if shutdown-related problems continued affecting millions of passengers across the country?
3. Where would you try to go instead if airports near you would become unreliable during a long federal shutdown?
4. Why would it worry you if air traffic control shortages kept growing and disrupted flights you needed to take?
The United States experienced the longest federal government shutdown in its history this fall ? a 42-day closure from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, which triggered severe staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities nationwide. The shortages forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to order airlines to cut flight operations at 40 major airports, resulting in widespread delays and cancellations for millions of travelers.
“For those Air Traffic Controllers who … didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person,” Trump posted on social media. “For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off … I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU.”
