DOT Warns That Air Travel Could Get Even Worse if Government Shutdown Continues

As millions prepare to travel for Thanksgiving, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is warning that air travel could soon face “massive” disruptions if the ongoing government shutdown isn’t resolved soon.

The shutdown has already forced airlines to cut flights, and the situation could worsen by the weekend—just as airports brace for one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

How could it get worse? And how can you prepare in case it does? Let’s take a closer look.

A Growing Crisis in Air Travel

Speaking at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on Tuesday, Duffy said that airlines may soon have to make “serious calculations about whether they continue to fly” as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) orders deeper cuts to flight schedules. Currently, airlines are facing mandatory flight reductions across 40 major U.S. airports, ramping up from last week to a 10% reduction this week.

The cuts stem from a severe shortage of air traffic controllers, a problem that has been exacerbated by the shutdown. “I think we would see that significant disruption coming this next weekend, maybe as early as Friday,” Duffy warned.

While Duffy noted that there’s been a slight improvement — with only 4 air traffic control staffing triggers nationwide on Tuesday compared to 81 on Saturday — he emphasized that staffing levels remain dangerously low. The FAA is still short about 2,000 controllers, and the shutdown has accelerated retirements and delayed training for new hires.

Duffy expressed optimism that an end to the shutdown is near. “I think our air traffic controllers are seeing an end to the shutdown and feel more hopeful, and they’re coming into their facility,” he said. He also confirmed that once the funding bill passes, controllers will receive 70% of their back pay within 48 hours, with the rest to follow a week later.

Still, even if the shutdown ends soon, flight operations won’t recover overnight. “It could take days or weeks for flight capacity to return to normal,” Duffy admitted.

What Travelers Can Do

If you’re flying in the coming days, plan for potential disruptions and give yourself plenty of extra time.

Here are a few practical steps to help you navigate possible delays or cancellations:

• Arrive early: Security and check-in lines may be longer than usual, especially if flight schedules shift at the last minute.
• Consider standby options: If your flight is canceled or delayed, ask gate agents about available standby seats on earlier or later departures.
• Book with travel protections: Pay with a credit card that includes trip delay or cancellation insurance, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® or the Platinum Card^® from American Express.
• Monitor your flight closely: Use your airline’s app or a flight tracking website for real-time updates on schedule changes.

Final Thoughts

With the government shutdown straining an already short-staffed FAA, the risk of widespread air travel disruption is real — especially heading into the busy Thanksgiving weekend. While Duffy remains hopeful that relief is coming soon, travelers should be prepared for potential headaches in the days ahead.

Arriving early, staying flexible, and booking with solid travel protections can make all the difference if your plans take an unexpected detour.