Flight schedules across the United States were thrown off course this weekend, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered airlines to scale back operations due to the ongoing government shutdown, a move that has already led to more than 2,500 cancellations by Saturday evening. The FAA’s directive, issued because staffing levels have dropped at radar centres and control towers, is being applied to all commercial carriers. What began as a 4% reduction at 40 key airports is set to tighten again on Tuesday and reach 10% by Friday. Transportation secretary Sean Duffy has warned that further cuts may follow if conditions deteriorate. At airports from Atlanta to Newark, passengers spent Saturday navigating changing departure boards and queues. Miami-bound traveller Emmy Ho

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