Flight Disruptions From Shutdown Pile Up as Trump Threatens Air Traffic Controllers

Washington — Flight cancellations and delays mounted across the United States on Monday as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history stretched into another week and staffing shortages among air traffic controllers deepened.

According to aviation data firm Cirium, airlines canceled 1,623 of 25,735 scheduled flights, roughly 6.3 percent of the day’s operations. Despite the disruption, on-time departures were slightly better than average, offering limited relief after a weekend of chaos that saw 18,500 delays and 4,500 cancellations, data from FlightAware showed.

President Donald Trump on Monday warned that controllers who failed to report for duty would have their pay “docked,” while promising $10,000 bonuses for those who worked without interruption through the shutdown. “All air traffic controllers must get back to work, NOW!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) criticized the remarks, calling controllers “unsung heroes” who continued to guide passengers safely while missing their second paycheck. Union officials said many employees have taken second jobs or faced difficulties paying for food and child care.

Last week, the administration ordered airlines to cut domestic schedules at 40 major airports, beginning with a 4 percent reduction and ramping up to 10 percent by November 14. The directive, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, aimed to ease pressure on a shrinking workforce.

The impact has rippled through the industry. American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour said about 250,000 passengers were affected over the weekend, with 1,400 flights canceled because of air-traffic shortages. “This is simply unacceptable,” Seymour told employees, urging quick resolution so airlines can “operate with predictability and dependability.”

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines offered extra pay for pilots and flight attendants to pick up additional trips, a practice usually reserved for severe weather disruptions.

Rental car company Hertz reported a spike in one-way bookings as stranded passengers sought ground transportation, while Flexjet, a private-aviation firm, said charter demand had risen.

The FAA has now extended some flight restrictions to private aircraft at a dozen U.S. airports, though most private-jet operators avoid the busiest hubs.

Nick Daniels, president of NATCA, said fatigue and financial stress are eroding safety margins. “The added stress leads to fatigue, and fatigue has led to the erosion of safety and the increased risk every day this shutdown drags on,” he told reporters.

The Senate made progress overnight toward a deal to restore government funding, though no bill has yet cleared Congress. Lawmakers said even if the impasse ends soon, it could take weeks for the FAA to restore full staffing and lift flight restrictions.

Representative Rick Larsen, the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, criticized Trump’s comments as “nuts,” saying air-traffic staff deserve “thanks and appreciation, not unhinged attacks.”

Monday’s 2,600-plus cancellations mark one of the worst single-day tallies since early 2024, and airlines warn that backlogs will take time to clear even after operations normalize.