'Complete failure of government' blamed for nationwide flight cancellations
A traveler at the Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey on November 7, 2025 (Image: Screengrab via CNN / YouTube)
Millions of Americans are preparing to fly with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, though the ongoing government shutdown has caused significant stress at airports. Many travelers are pointing the finger at Congress for failing to negotiate a deal to reopen the government and pay federal workers.
NBC News reported Friday that more than 3,500 domestic flights to, from and within the U.S. had been delayed, with more than 950 flights cancelled. The delays and cancellations came after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced this week it would be cutting all air traffic by 10 percent due to a shortage of airport staff.
In a Friday segment, CNN reporter Ed Lavandera interviewed travelers at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport. While most travelers were able to make their flights without incident, he said many of them were concerned about their return trips should the government shutdown drag on and flight delays and cancellations become more widespread.
" I think it's a complete failure of government and the government is serving itself and not the people," one American Airlines passenger told Lavandera.
"These politicians need to get their act together, man," another traveler said. "It's just crazy. I mean, come on people, what's wrong with you? You know, just get it together."
The shutdown — which is the longest in American history at 37 days and counting — has led to air traffic controllers receiving another $0 paycheck this week. CNN reported Friday that many air traffic controllers are resigning from their jobs on a near-daily basis. And these resignations are happening at a time when there is a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers. National Air Traffic Controllers President Nick Daniels told the network that there are only 10,800 certified air traffic controllers working in the U.S. today, whereas the nationwide air traffic system needs at least 14,633.
"I hope it doesn't happen again tonight for people, but it was really sad," one DFW traveler told Lavandera. "So many flights were just canceled, and it was not the weather."
Watch the full segment below:
- YouTube www.youtube.com
