The US government shutdown is causing widespread flight cancellations, with over 700 flights scrapped on Friday. Air traffic controllers working without pay are leaving, raising fears that delays and cancellations could worsen before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Washington: Airlines across the United States cancelled hundreds of flights as the continuing government shutdown deepened strains on the nation’s air travel system.

As of midday Friday, some 780 flights or roughly 3 per cent of the 25,000 scheduled nationwide had been cancelled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Cancellations could accelerate sharply in the coming days as more air traffic controllers are forced to seek other employment due to unpaid work.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that flight reduction

See Full Page