FAA Flight Cancellations Rise Amid U.S. Shutdown

FAA-directed cancellations are increasing as the U.S. government shutdown strains air traffic control and TSA staffing, pushing carriers to cut flights for safety.

The FAA, led by Brian Bedford, has started instructing U.S. carriers to cancel specific services to reduce pressure on air traffic control (ATC) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations.

Delays and operational strain had been widespread; moving to mandated cancellations marks a new phase of disruption. Airlines say proactive schedule reductions aim to avoid uncontrolled system-wide failures as passenger demand builds toward Thanksgiving.

FAA flight cancellations: what travelers should know

Regional routes are the most affected, with smaller airports and regional carriers seeing the largest share of cuts. Staffing shortfalls at ATC facilities and TSA checkpoint reductions are the primary reasons cited by federal and industry sources.

• Be ready for FAA flight cancellations — confirm flight status with your airline before you leave for the airport.
• Check your airline’s rebooking and refund policies; carriers are offering options for impacted passengers.
• Expect longer lines at TSA checkpoints where staffing is reduced and allow extra time for security.

Airlines have been balancing safety and schedule reliability: trimming regional flights reduces overall traffic and gives ATC centers and TSA checkpoints more predictable load. While major trunk routes have seen delays, the most disruptive impacts are clustering on short-haul and regional sectors where fewer aircraft and crews mean a single change ripples across the schedule.

Outlook depends entirely on how long the shutdown continues. If federal staffing pressures persist, more FAA-directed cancellations are likely. Travelers should monitor airline alerts, check airport advisories, and plan additional time for connections and security screening.