Washington, DC, USA – Airports across the United States are grappling with widespread flight delays and cancellations amid a surge in worker absences among air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since the current government shutdown began on October 1, 2025. Now entering its 35th day, the shutdown is poised to become the longest in US history, matching the infamous 2018-19 stalemate.

Over the past weekend, more than 16,700 flights were delayed and an additional 2,282 were cancelled across the country, according to real-time flight tracker FlightAware. The disruptions only worsened into Monday evening, with more than 4,000 delays and more than 600 cancellations reported at major airports—including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver International, and Newark Liberty.

Air Traffic Controllers Under Intense Strain Amid Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributed the situation to critical staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown. Nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers—designated “essential workers”—have been forced to remain on the job without pay since early October. Many are now calling in sick, overworked, or forced to seek second jobs to cover their expenses.

“Absences are surging because controllers are under immense stress and fatigue,” the FAA warned on X (formerly Twitter). It noted that half of its “Core 30” air traffic control facilities—including all three major New York City-area airports—were severely affected, with absences at some facilities reaching up to 80%.

To maintain safety standards, the FAA has reduced the volume of air traffic allowed into airports, a move that has had cascading effects across the national travel network.

“The shutdown must end so that these controllers receive the pay they’ve earned and that travellers can avoid further disruptions,” the FAA wrote.

Federal Officials Warn of Continued Disruptions

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed on CBS’s Face the Nation that the government is actively extending delays to preserve air safety.

“We will slow down the system. You’ll see flights delayed and cancelled if that’s what it takes to keep it safe,” Duffy said.

The Associated Press has reported that many air traffic controllers have begun working second jobs to pay bills, although Duffy stated that they would not be fired for their absences.

“When they’re making decisions to feed their families, I’m not going to fire air traffic controllers,” he added.

A Record-Shattering Shutdown with Wide-Ranging Impacts

The shutdown, as it enters its 35th day, is affecting far more than just travelers. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, an estimated 670,000 civilian federal employees have been furloughed, while another 730,000 are still required to work—many of them without pay.

The crisis, sparked by partisan disputes over federal budget allocations, has left millions of Americans without basic public services and has strained vital infrastructure systems such as transportation, national parks, and regulatory agencies.

With no compromise in sight, airline passengers are urged to brace for continued delays, cancellations, and increased wait times until the government reopens—or until a temporary funding agreement is reached.