U.S. airlines canceled more than 1,500 flights on Monday, marking the fourth consecutive day of disruptions as government shutdown-related staffing shortages and a winter storm in Chicago continue to impact air travel.
Flight tracking site FlightAware reported 1,550 cancellations and 1,400 delays by 8:30 a.m. ET, following 2,950 cancellations and nearly 10,800 delays on Sunday, the worst single-day disruption since the shutdown began on October 1.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suspended general aviation traffic at 12 airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Reagan Washington National, due to air traffic control staffing shortages. Many federal employees have gone unpaid for weeks amid the 40-day shutdown.
The FAA has mandated airlines to reduce flights by 4% starting Friday at 40 major airports, rising to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by November 14, citing safety concerns. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said flight cuts will remain until air traffic staffing and safety data improve.
The U.S. Senate advanced a bill late Sunday aimed at ending the shutdown, though air travel disruptions are expected to continue until staffing normalizes.
