The ongoing government shutdown in the United States has led to significant disruptions in air travel, with over 2,500 flights cancelled this past weekend alone. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated airlines to reduce operations due to staffing shortages at radar centres and control towers. This reduction began with a 4% cut at 40 major airports and is expected to escalate to 10% by Friday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has indicated that further cuts may be necessary if the situation worsens.

Passengers at airports across the country, from Atlanta to Newark, experienced confusion and frustration as they navigated changing flight schedules. Emmy Holguin, a Miami-bound traveller, expressed her concerns, stating, "We all travel. We all have somewhere to be. I'm hoping that the government can take care of this."

Flight tracking service FlightAware reported that cancellations rose sharply, with over 1,000 flights cancelled on Friday and more than 1,500 by Saturday. The disruptions have not only affected domestic travel but also raised concerns about international flights and air freight, as nearly half of US air cargo is transported in passenger aircraft. Experts warn that these cancellations could lead to increased shipping costs and impact retailers and supply chains.

Air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay for nearly a month, are facing increased pressure. Many are taking on second jobs or calling in sick, exacerbating existing staffing shortages. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has urged Congress to end the shutdown, delivering 1,600 handwritten letters to lawmakers.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the uncertainty surrounding flight schedules is causing anxiety among travellers. Heather Xu, who was trying to return to Puerto Rico, remarked, "Travel is stressful enough. Then you put these disruptions in place, and it really makes everything more challenging."

In response to the cancellations, major airlines like United, American, and Delta have begun offering refunds and flexible rebooking options. United Airlines announced it would cancel around 4% of its flights, while American Airlines plans to scrap about 220 flights daily. Delta is also reducing its flight schedule, with significant impacts expected at busy airports such as Charlotte, Atlanta, and Chicago.

With the shutdown showing no signs of resolution, the aviation industry and millions of passengers are left wondering how much worse the situation will become as the holiday travel season approaches.