Senators Britt and Tuberville angered as government shutdown leads to the cancellation of 2,700 flights on Sunday

Over 2,200 flights were cancelled across the U.S. on Sunday, November 9, 2025, as FAA-mandated reductions intensified amid the government shutdown. Alabama Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville both issued statements condemning the disruption and calling for urgent resolution.

The weekend marked a dramatic escalation in travel disruptions as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented phased flight reductions at 40 major airports nationwide. On Sunday alone, more than 2,200 flights were cancelled and over 9,500 delayed, with Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport-one of the busiest in the country-reporting over 570 cancellations. Newark Liberty International saw at least 265 cancellations, while LaGuardia and JFK airports in New York also faced significant delays.

The FAA's decision stems from a growing shortage of air traffic controllers, many of whom have gone unpaid since the government shutdown began on October 1. The agency began cutting flight capacity by 4% on Friday, November 7, with plans to ramp up to 10% by November 14. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, air travel could be "reduced to a trickle" ahead of Thanksgiving, potentially stranding thousands of Americans.

In Alabama, where Birmingham-Shuttlesworth and Huntsville International airports serve as key regional hubs, travelers faced mounting uncertainty. While these airports were not among the most heavily impacted on Sunday, they are included in the FAA's list of affected facilities, and delays are expected to intensify as the shutdown drags on.

Senator Katie Britt, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a statement Sunday evening: "This is what happens when Washington fails to do its job. Alabama families trying to reunite for the holidays are now caught in the crossfire of dysfunction. I'm calling on leadership in both chambers to come back to the table and end this shutdown immediately." Britt emphasized the economic ripple effects on Alabama's logistics sector, noting that FedEx and UPS hubs in Memphis and Louisville are also facing strain due to flight reductions.

Senator Tommy Tuberville, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, echoed Britt's concerns but placed blame squarely on the Biden administration: "This shutdown is a direct result of failed leadership. Our air traffic controllers are exhausted, unpaid, and overworked-and now the FAA is grounding flights that Alabama families depend on. We need accountability, not excuses." Tuberville also criticized the FAA's decision to restrict private jet traffic, calling it "a political stunt that punishes business owners and rural communities."

The FAA's phased reduction plan is designed to mitigate safety risks posed by overworked and understaffed control towers. According to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, the agency recorded 81 staffing vacancies in a single day last week, with some controllers reportedly taking second jobs to support their families. Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti described the move as "unprecedented," warning that the alternative-keeping full flight schedules with exhausted staff-could lead to catastrophic errors.

Major airlines scrambled to adjust. Delta cancelled over 500 flights on Sunday, while United and Southwest each cancelled between 150 and 200 flights. Most of the cuts targeted regional and domestic routes, though international flights remained largely unaffected. Airlines have waived change fees and offered refunds to affected passengers, but many travelers remain stranded or uncertain about upcoming plans.

As the shutdown enters its sixth week, pressure is mounting on Congress to reach a funding agreement. With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, Alabama's senators are urging swift action-not only to restore flight schedules, but to ensure federal employees, including air traffic controllers, receive back pay and support.