Photo: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP / Getty Images
On Wednesday morning (November 12), at least 888 flights were canceled across the United States, with major airports in Chicago, Denver, and Atlanta experiencing the most disruptions. According to FlightAware, an additional 720 flights were delayed as of 10 a.m. ET. Chicago O’Hare International led the cancellations with 44 flights, followed by Denver with 43 and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson with 37.
These cancellations are part of a continuing pattern of travel disruptions caused by a federal government shutdown, which has led to capacity limits at 40 major U.S. airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been operating under constraints, with many federal employees, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff, working without pay. The shutdown began on October 1, and efforts to resolve the impasse are ongoing.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, the situation could worsen, potentially leading airlines to ground their planes. He emphasized the urgency of passing a bipartisan bill to end the shutdown, which the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on later Wednesday. Duffy stated, "If this doesn't open, you might have airlines that say, 'We're going to ground our planes.'"
Despite the ongoing disruptions, the House is expected to vote on a bill to reopen the government, which could help alleviate the strain on the aviation industry. The Senate has already approved a funding patch through January 30. As the situation develops, travelers are advised to stay informed about potential changes and prepare for continued delays and cancellations.