What Canadian airlines are telling travellers after more than 800 flights in U.S. cancelled or delayed

What Canadian Airlines Are Telling Travellers After More Than 800 Flights in U.S. Cancelled or Delayed

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a 10% reduction in air traffic at 40 “high-volume” U.S. airports starting Friday. By Friday morning, over 800 U.S.-linked flights were cancelled, according to FlightAware.

Background on U.S. Air Traffic Disruptions

The U.S. government has been shut down since October 1, marking the longest shutdown in its history. This has resulted in air traffic controllers working without pay for nearly six weeks, causing staffing shortages and delays.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford explained the decision by citing staffing pressures and pilot reports of growing controller fatigue.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “There’ll be frustration, but in the end, our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible.”

Impacted Airports

CBS News obtained a list of affected airports including major hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, and all three New York area airports (Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark), as well as locations such as Anchorage and Honolulu.

Canadian Airlines' Response

Air Canada stated to National Post that it is monitoring the situation closely and waiting for more details on the planned air traffic reductions.

“At this point, we are maintaining our normal schedule but for customers who may be connecting onto U.S. flights,” the airline added.

Canadian travellers should be aware of possible delays and cancellations linked to U.S. airspace restrictions.

Summary: U.S. government shutdown-induced staffing shortages have led to significant flight cancellations, and Canadian airlines are actively monitoring the evolving situation to manage passenger impacts.

Winnipeg Sun — 2025-11-07