Over 2,100 US flights were canceled in a single day as the government shutdown persisted, causing significant disruptions for travelers. The situation has worsened with each passing day, and the country's transport secretary warns that air traffic could slow to a trickle ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday period. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered cuts to commercial flight services at 40 of the nation's busiest airports, citing unpaid air traffic controllers as the reason. This has led to a 10% reduction in services, with further cuts potentially reaching 20% if the shutdown continues. The cancellations and delays have impacted thousands of passengers, with over 7,000 flight delays reported on Sunday alone. The situation is expected to worsen, with the transportation secretary predicting a significant decline in air travel as the holiday season approaches. The shutdown, now the longest in US history, has sparked debates about the impact on air traffic control staffing and the safety of travelers. The Democrats have accused the administration of using flight cancellations as a political tactic, while the transportation secretary argues that the cuts are necessary to ensure public safety.
