US warns it could force 20% flight cuts if shutdown continues

Question

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said airlines might have to cut 20% of flights if the government shutdown continues. The FAA told airlines to cut some flights, 4% at first, maybe 10% soon, because many air traffic controllers are not coming to work because they aren’t being paid for their work. At Washington’s main airport, some people waited up to four hours for their flight due to a delay. About 13,000 controllers and 50,000 security workers are still working without pay.

Many big U.S. airlines had to cancel many of their  scheduled flights, leaving many people unable to travel. American Airlines canceled 220 flights, and United canceled 184. Airline leaders said that if the government shutdown continues, travel problems will just get worse. The FAA said the flight cuts are for safety reasons. International flights are not affected, but private-plane flights may be reduced at busy airports. The shutdown has also caused political fighting between Democrats and Republicans as both sides blame each other for the travel problems.

Answer 1

This is mostly accurate with minor clarifications. The flight cuts, staffing shortages, and cancellations are confirmed, but the 20% figure from Secretary Duffy is a projection, not a current mandate. FAA-mandated flight cuts: The FAA ordered airlines to reduce operations by 4% starting November 7, ramping up to 10% by November 14 at 40 major airports due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. 

Air traffic controllers and TSA agents working unpaid: Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents are continuing to work without pay during the shutdown. American Airlines canceled 220 flights: American Airlines confirmed it would cancel 220 flights daily from Nov. 7 to Nov. 10. United Airlines canceled 184 flights: United Airlines also announced cuts, focusing on regional and domestic flights not connecting hub airports. Delays at major airports: Passengers at several major airports, including Washington D.C., have experienced multi-hour delays, though specific reports of four-hour waits at Washington’s main airport (likely DCA) are not widely documented. Flight cuts for safety reasons: FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized that the reductions are entirely for safety, citing controller fatigue and pressure at high-volume airports.

International flights unaffected: Airlines stated that long-haul international flights remain scheduled as normal. Private-plane flights may be reduced: FAA has not explicitly confirmed this, but reductions at busy airports could indirectly affect private aviation. Political tension: The shutdown has led to intensified partisan conflict, with both Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for the aviation disruptions. “Airlines might have to cut 20% of flights”: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, flight reductions could escalate to 20% at some airports. This is a projection, not a current directive. “Four-hour wait at Washington’s main airport”: While delays are widespread, specific confirmation of four-hour waits at DCA is not consistently reported in major outlets.

What to know about FAA flight cuts: Which airports are impacted, what to do if your flight is canceled and more

American Airlines cancels 220 flights a day due to shutdown

Answer 2

During a time with so much misinformation and stressed out employees, it is necessary to look deeply for the information surrounding government bans. This claim is mostly true, but it comes with some conditions. According to a Reuters report from November 7, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he could require airlines to cut up to 20% of flights if the government shutdown keeps going. The FAA has already started smaller phased cuts, with 4% on November 7, increasing to 10% by November 14, to keep things safe as more air-traffic controllers miss work. I checked this against official FAA and Department of Transportation updates, which confirmed the current cuts and the focus on safety. Reuters, AP News, and ABC News all reported the same details and quoted Duffy directly, drawing from government press briefings and statements. These are generally reliable outlets, though their coverage naturally reflects the government’s perspective. Overall, the evidence supports that Duffy really did issue the warning about potential 20% cuts, but that level hasn’t actually been ordered yet.

Comments

Don't forget to include your source links within a fact-check. Thanks!

Answer 3

This claim is overall true. The U.S. government's warning that it might have to potentially cut 20% of flights if the shutdowns keep continuing. To me this makes sense when you look at what's happening. Because of the shutdown, thousands of air traffic controllers and TSA workers aren't getting paid, at the same time a lot of them are calling out or quitting since they aren't getting their bills in the mail. This is one of the main reasons the flights have gotten delayed and cancelled across the country and now the FAA airlines have to start cutting flights at major airports , starting with about 4% and possibly going up to 10% or even 20% if things are not fixed soon. Transportation secretary Sean Duffy even warned that parts of U.S. airspace might need to close if staffing gets too bad. Basically this means longer lines, more canceled flights and a lot more frustrated travelers. It's crazy to think that government politics can mess up something as normal as air travel, but it shows how connected everything is. When the government doesn't function its nonpoliticians are fighting it affects real people, jobs, travel plans, and everyday life.

https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-airlines-faa-e39c423facec2b0dcc2544af48de0fa1