More than 700 flights nationwide have been canceled Saturday as the Federal Aviation Administration continues limiting flight capacity at 40 major U.S.airports amid the government shutdown.As of 6 a.m.
ET on Saturday, 754 flights have already been canceled nationwide and the total could eclipse Friday’s toll of 1,024 cancellations.However, despite more than 1,000 flights being canceled on Friday, major delays at airports across the country continue to persist due to staffing issues in air traffic controller towers and centers.If the government shutdown continues, more air travel reductions could be on the way, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an interview on ABC News Live on Friday."My hope is that this government shutdown will end soon and we can get back in the business of letting Americans travel," Duffy said in the interview.It is possible the Department of Transportation may ask airlines to cancel more than 10% of their flights if controllers keep calling out in higher numbers, Duffy told ABC News.SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: An Air France plane takes off over a United Airlines plane at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on November 07, 2025 in San Francisco, California.The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is reducing flights by 10 percent at 40 major airports nationwide, including SFO, beginning Friday amid air traffic control staffing shortages resulting from the federal government shutdown.Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesDuffy said the FAA has asked private jets to avoid flying at the 40 airports impacted by the flight reductions, though they are currently not prohibited from flying there.
He said private jet companies have been cooperative and are choosing alternate airports to help alleviate the pressure at those airports.Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: GOP decries Dems' shutdown offer, weekend votes unclearNov 7, 8:10 PMAt least 12 dead after engine separated from plane on takeoff in UPS crash: OfficialsNov 5, ...