Story perspectives

Government Shutdown Causes Flight Cancellations: 20% Risk by Thanksgiving

11/9/2025

Summary

Story summary

The ongoing government shutdown has driven a rise in flight cancellations, with about 5% of U.S. flights canceled on Saturday.
Regional airlines are especially affected, with up to 9% cancellations as major carriers such as American Airlines and Delta cut regional flights.
Sean Duffy, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, warned that cancellations could reach one in five flights by Thanksgiving.
Travelers are considering alternatives, such as buses, as disruptions persist.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. government shutdown, lasting from October 1 to 17, resulted from a budget impasse over the Affordable Care Act, leading to the furlough of approximately 800,000 federal employees. This disruption caused a $24 billion economic loss and highlighted the significant impact of government actions on sectors like transportation, as evidenced by a 10% increase in flight cancellations during the crisis.

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Story summary

The ongoing government shutdown has driven a rise in flight cancellations, with about 5% of U.S. flights canceled on Saturday.
Regional airlines are especially affected, with up to 9% cancellations as major carriers such as American Airlines and Delta cut regional flights.
Sean Duffy, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, warned that cancellations could reach one in five flights by Thanksgiving.
Travelers are considering alternatives, such as buses, as disruptions persist.

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