The ongoing US government shutdown has now entered its fifth day of wreaking havoc on air travel, with nearly 1,200 flights cancelled across the country. Passengers are facing prolonged delays, chaos at major airports, and significant disruptions to both domestic and international travel schedules.

Widespread Flight Delays Across the United States

In addition to mass cancellations, travelers reported long wait times on Tuesday morning, as over 1,300 flights were delayed across key airports nationwide. New York’s LaGuardia Airport has been hit particularly hard, with average delays exceeding one hour and 40 minutes, according to FlightAware, a leading flight tracking platform.

The impact is not limited to LaGuardia. On Monday alone, more than 2,400 flights were cancelled to, from, and within the United States, and over 9,500 flights experienced delays, underscoring the widespread nature of the disruption.

FAA Cuts Flights Amid Staffing Shortages

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has attributed the travel disruptions to staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown. The agency initially instructed airlines to reduce daily flights by 4 percent at 40 major airports, effective Friday. These reductions have escalated steadily, reaching 6 percent on Tuesday, 8 percent on Thursday, and are expected to hit 10 percent by November 14 if the shutdown continues.

Airlines and the FAA are reportedly in negotiations to potentially ease these restrictions, but uncertainty remains as the record-setting 42-day government shutdown presses on.

Legislative Progress Offers Hope for Reopening

Amid travel chaos, lawmakers in Washington are making strides to end the shutdown. On Monday, the US Senate passed a bill to reopen the federal government, which now moves to the House of Representatives. If approved, the legislation will be sent to President Donald Trump for final approval. A signed bill would finally reopen the government and help ease travel disruptions nationwide.

Despite progress on Capitol Hill, President Trump has urged air traffic controllers to return to work immediately, warning of potential pay deductions for noncompliance. At the same time, the president announced that controllers who remained on duty during the shutdown would receive a $10,000 bonus, adding another layer of urgency for staff to resume operations.

Airline Stocks Take a Hit Amid Ongoing Disruptions

The prolonged shutdown is also impacting the financial performance of US airlines. On Tuesday morning, Delta Air Lines shares fell 1.26%, United Airlines dropped 1.7%, and American Airlines tumbled over 1.8%. Budget carriers have not been spared either, with JetBlue down more than 2%, Southwest Airlines declining 1.8%, and Alaska Airlines falling roughly 2.1%.

Industry analysts warn that continued cancellations and delays could further erode passenger confidence, with a ripple effect across airline revenues and stock prices if the shutdown persists.

How Travelers Can Navigate the Chaos

For travelers navigating the ongoing disruption, experts recommend:

• Checking flight status frequently on airline websites and FlightAware.
• Allowing extra travel time for airport procedures, particularly at major hubs like LaGuardia, JFK, and O’Hare.
• Considering flexible booking options or alternative airports to minimize delays.
• Staying informed on FAA announcements regarding temporary flight reductions.

The Road Ahead

While the end of the shutdown seems within reach, the airline industry and passengers are still facing a turbulent travel week. If the government reopens as expected, the focus will shift to clearing backlogs, restoring full staffing at airports, and returning airline schedules to normal. Until then, travelers should brace for continued delays, cancellations, and ongoing uncertainty across the US air travel network.