• More than 1,200 flights cancelled in the US due to air traffic control shortages.
• Government shutdown since October 1 leads to staff working without pay.
• Major airports including Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles severely impacted.

In a significant disruption to air travel, over 1,200 flights were cancelled across the United States on Friday following a directive from the Trump administration aimed at easing strain on air traffic controllers working without pay. This situation arose amidst an ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1, stemming from a standoff in Congress over budget allocations, particularly regarding healthcare funding, according to Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

As federal agencies grind to a halt, the Federal Aviation Administration announced a phased reduction plan requiring reductions of 4 percent of domestic flights starting Friday, with further cuts likely to reach up to 10 percent the following week if the government impasse persists. This has notably impacted major hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which are among the forty airports facing cancellations, reports South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

The chaos in the airline industry is compounded by reports indicating that more than 6,800 flights were delayed on Thursday prior to the cancellations, with significant wait times at security checkpoints. The National Transportation Safety Board has expressed concerns about safety risks if the situation deteriorates further without urgent action from Congress, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

Various airlines have begun to acknowledge the extent of the impact, with American Airlines reporting roughly 220 cancellations per day and Delta cutting about 170 flights. Travellers have scrambled for alternatives, leading to a spike in one-way car rentals, as they look to avoid further unexpected disruptions, reports South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized in a recent statement on social media that “it's safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after,” through proactive measures being implemented, as federal officials strive to manage the growing crisis. He urged Congress to take immediate action to end the gridlock and ensure that funding is restored before the crucial Thanksgiving travel season, according to Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.