FAA Cuts Flights, Controllers Clock Out; Houston Air Traffic Sketchy
KEY POINTS
- •The government shutdown has led to significant air traffic controller shortages, affecting travelers nationwide.
- •In response, the FAA has implemented a 10% reduction in flights at 40 airports across the country.
- •As of Friday, around 780 flights were canceled, with Delta completing its planned cancellations for the weekend.
Passengers at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport faced a new sport on November 6, 2025: flight limbo, courtesy of a spicy government shutdown. FAA’s grand plan featured a 4% flight reduction on Friday, quickly ratcheting up to 10% by November 14 — because who doesn't love incremental airline misery? Around 780 flights were already benched by 1 p.m. ET Friday, according to Cirium. Delta took a bow claiming ‘all planned FAA cancellations for Nov. 7-9 are done,’ like it’s a badge of honor. Sean Duffy warned cancellations could hit 20% unless air controllers stop ghosting work, which, given they've been unpaid since October, is a plot twist nobody saw coming. Major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver served as grounds for the unfortunate trio: American, Delta, and United. FAA boss Bryan Bedford modestly admitted the whole thing is ‘stress in the system,’ and yes, safety still lives if you can call your flight an endangered species.
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Nothing says 'safe skies' like unpaid controllers playing sick roulette. FAA cuts flights 10% and threatens 20% if shutdown persists. Airlines shrug, passengers pray. Government shutdown: bringing new meaning to 'flight delay nightmare' since October.
Authorities cut flights to keep skies ‘safe enough’ while air traffic controllers perfect their unsolicited sick day art. Meanwhile, the shutdown plods on like a turtle in molasses.
Jet-setting just became ‘jet-waiting’ at America’s busiest airports. Thanks to a shutdown, this holiday season’s real takeoff event is watching your flight status refresh endlessly.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 11/8/2025 | Author: Nathan Rennolds
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