US Government Shutdown Forces FAA Flight Cuts Before Thanksgiving

A continuing United States government shutdown has severely disrupted nationwide air travel, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to cut flight capacity by 10% at 40 airports. This reduction accounts for an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 daily cancellations, with impacts particularly acute in Texas. The situation worsened as unpaid air traffic controllers called out of work, leading the agency to consider further cuts of up to 20%.

Major carriers, including Delta, United, American, and Southwest, have eased rebooking and cancellation procedures, though the FAA clarified that there are no federal requirements for how airlines handle bumped or cancelled flights. In response to the aviation volatility, travelers have surged toward ground transportation ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Hertz reported a 20% increase in one-way rentals, Avis noted similar growth, and Turo saw bookings rise 30% year-over-year. Some passengers have resorted to unconventional options, such as renting U-Haul trucks for cross-country trips.

Rail and bus services are bracing for record demand. Amtrak predicts record Thanksgiving ridership, while Flix North America, the parent company of Greyhound and FlixBus, is adding capacity to accommodate the shift. Industry leaders and AAA have urged Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to restore travel certainty and advised consumers to maintain flexible backup plans.