11.11.2025 – (04:30 PM)

Travelers are facing increasing uncertainty about air travel in the United States after orders to reduce flights at several major airports went into effect on November 7.

The reduction in flights is being seen as a response to safety concerns related to staffing shortages linked to the record-long six-week federal government shutdown.

The Trump administration has ordered airlines to reduce flights at 40 airports. Major airports are among those affected. The reductions will begin on the morning of November 7th and will gradually increase to 10% next week.

The most heavily traveled airports in the United States, including Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles will also see a reduction in flights.

“This is not about politics. It’s about getting the data in the system right and avoiding potential risks,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, dismissing criticism that the move was aimed at putting more pressure on Democrats to end the shutdown.

The federal government shutdown is the longest in history, with 35 days of work suspended at federal departments and agencies seven years ago.

The shutdown has affected thousands of federal employees as it has disrupted work at federal departments and agencies.

The shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, is now the longest in U.S. history. Air traffic control tower workers, airport security personnel and other employees are not getting paid.

More than 800 flights scheduled to take off on November 7 have been canceled, according to flight tracking service Flight Aware.

American Airlines said it would cancel 220 flights a day.