Amid Longest-Ever Government Shutdown, American Skies Grow Quieter With 10% Flight Cuts

Airports in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, along with hubs across the U.S., are among the 40 that will see flights cut starting Friday (November 7, 2025) due to the government shutdown, according to a list distributed to the airlines and obtained by The Associated Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday (November 5) that it would reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown.

The airports impacted cover the busiest across the U.S. — including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco. In some of the biggest cities — such as New York, Houston and Chicago — multiple airports will be affected.