A Delta Air Lines flight taxiing at Boston Logan International Airport in November 2024.

By Chris Spiker From Daily Voice

About 1,600 commercial flights were canceled and most private flights were banned at a dozen major US airports as the record-long federal government shutdown approaches a potential end.

There were 1,597 US-based flights canceled as of 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, according to FlightAware. Around 2,089 flights were delayed as airports struggle with fewer air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents, who haven't received a paycheck since Friday, Oct. 3.

Southwest Airlines reported at least 271 flight cancellations, followed by Delta Air Lines with 264, American Airlines with 102, and United Airlines with 87. FlightAware data also showed Southwest had at least 671 flights delayed, far more than any other major airline.

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their daily schedules at 40 major airports between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Several Northeast cities are among those with slashed flights, including Baltimore, Boston, Newark, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

The cuts, which started on Friday, Nov. 7, are set to grow to 6% by Tuesday, Nov. 11. If the shutdown continues, the reductions will increase to 8% by Thursday, Nov. 13, and 10% by Friday, Nov. 14.

The FAA also began broad restrictions on private flights at midnight EST on Monday, Nov. 10, according to the National Business Aviation Association. The cuts effectively prohibit business aviation operations at 12 of the country's busiest hubs.

There will only be limited exceptions for based aircraft, emergency, medical, law enforcement, firefighting, or military operations. Business aircraft operators have also been advised to prepare for additional delays at any of the 40 airports affected by the FAA's emergency order or impacted by limited air traffic controller staffing.

The trade group representing general aviation companies said the private flight cuts would have a major impact on the industry that "creates more than a million jobs, generates $340 billion in economic impact and supports humanitarian flights every day."

"Safety is the cornerstone of business aviation, and NBAA is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the [National Airspace System]," said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. "Among the ways we will do that is to ensure business aviation operators have an understanding of these restrictions and their implications."

The NBAA is also urging Congress to end the 41-day government shutdown, which moved closer to ending after the Senate passed a controversial, compromise funding deal late on Sunday, Nov. 9.

"Above all, this moment underscores the need to reopen the government to serve all Americans," Bolen said. "NBAA stands with the rest of the aviation community in calling upon Congress to end the shutdown immediately, and for the [restrictions] to be repealed when the government reopens."

The new FAA restrictions for private flights apply to:

  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Denver International Airport (DEN)
  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

More than 4,500 commercial flights were canceled and 17,000 were delayed over the weekend, CNBC reported.

After 40 days of federal standstill, the Senate reached a breakthrough, voting 60-40 late Sunday night, Nov. 9, to advance a compromise funding bill that could finally reopen the government and offer financial relief to millions of Americans.

The Senate package still must be approved by the House, which has been in recess for seven weeks, before heading to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.