Ask Onix
US flight disruptions extend into third day amid government shutdown
Air travel across the United States faced severe delays and cancellations for a third consecutive day on Sunday, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning of worsening conditions if the federal government shutdown persists. Over 2,900 flights to, from, or within the U.S. were canceled, while more than 8,600 experienced delays by late afternoon, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. The hardest-hit airport, Newark Liberty International in New Jersey, reported average delays exceeding two hours.
Senate scrambles for shutdown resolution
Lawmakers signaled progress toward a potential compromise to restore government funding, with the Senate convening a rare weekend session on Sunday. U.S. media reports indicated ongoing negotiations, though no agreement had been reached by evening. The shutdown, now in its 40th day, marks the longest in U.S. history, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid since funding lapsed on October 1.
Critical services, including food assistance programs, have been disrupted, with the administration approving only partial monthly benefits for low-income Americans. Both parties continued to trade blame: the White House accused Democrats of creating a "man-made catastrophe," while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) condemned Republicans for "playing games with people's livelihoods."
FAA cuts air traffic capacity as controller shortages mount
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced reductions in air traffic capacity by up to 6% this weekend and 10% by next weekend at 40 major U.S. airports. The cuts, which exclude international flights, stem from a shortage of air traffic controllers-many of whom, unpaid during the shutdown, have called in fatigued or absent. Some airlines may independently cancel international routes, the FAA noted.
Secretary Duffy revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered military air traffic controllers as backup, but the proposal was rejected due to their lack of certification for civilian airspace. Duffy emphasized the escalating risks, telling CNN that air travel could soon be "reduced to a trickle," stranding passengers ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday (November 28).
"Many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane, because there are not going to be that many flights that fly if this thing doesn't open back up," Duffy said.
Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary, via CNN (November 10, 2025)
Sticking points: Health subsidies vs. clean funding
The impasse centers on health insurance subsidies, with Democrats refusing to support Republican spending bills unless funding for subsidies is included. Republicans, meanwhile, insist on a "clean" funding measure without additional provisions. President Donald Trump floated an alternative over the weekend, suggesting direct payments to Americans for insurance purchases instead of subsidizing insurers.
Republican senators were reportedly finalizing a compromise package on Sunday, with a procedural vote possible later in the day. The outcome remained uncertain as both sides dug in, though the urgency of the air travel crisis added pressure to reach a deal.
What's next
The Senate's Sunday session could determine whether legislation advances to reopen the government. If no resolution is reached, further FAA capacity cuts and controller absences are expected to exacerbate delays, particularly during the Thanksgiving travel surge. Airlines have begun preemptively canceling flights through late November.
