More than 700 flights were canceled across the United States on Saturday as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed flight capacity limits at 40 major airports due to the ongoing government shutdown. As of 6 a.m. ET, 754 flights had been canceled, with the total expected to surpass Friday's cancellations of 1,024. Despite the high number of cancellations on Friday, significant delays continued at airports nationwide, primarily due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that if the government shutdown persists, further reductions in air travel could occur. In an interview, he expressed hope that the shutdown would end soon, allowing for normal travel operations to resume. Duffy noted that the FAA might request airlines to cancel more than 10% of their flights if controller absenteeism continues to rise.

The FAA has advised private jets to avoid the affected airports, although they are not currently banned from flying there. Duffy mentioned that private jet companies have been cooperative, opting for alternate airports to help ease congestion. The cancellations represent a significant disruption to air travel, marking one of the largest impacts since the shutdown began over a month ago.

The FAA has refrained from cutting international flights to comply with international agreements, which Duffy emphasized are crucial to maintaining good relations with other countries. He stated, "We have international agreements that we abide by, and because of those international agreements, I'm not going to impact those international flights."

The flight cancellations began on Friday, shortly after the FAA ordered reductions in response to air traffic controller staffing shortages caused by the shutdown, which is now the longest in U.S. history. As of 2 p.m. ET on Friday, approximately 780 flights had been canceled, accounting for about 3% of the day's total schedule. The FAA's order outlines a gradual increase in flight cuts, starting with 4% on Friday, rising to 10% by November 14.

In Florida, over 110 flights were canceled on Friday, with the majority occurring at major airports in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Tampa. Duffy indicated that if the shutdown continues, flight cuts could increase to 15% or even 20%. The financial impact of these disruptions is still unclear, but analysts suggest that while airlines may benefit from increased unit revenue due to fewer available seats, the prolonged shutdown could negatively affect future booking demand.

Airlines are working to minimize disruptions by adjusting schedules and offering alternative flights to affected customers. Travelers are advised to monitor their flight status closely and consider travel insurance options, as policies may not cover cancellations related to the government shutdown.

As the situation develops, travelers should remain flexible and check airline apps for real-time updates on their flights. The FAA has not released an official list of affected airports, but major hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Los Angeles International, and Chicago O'Hare are among those expected to see significant cancellations.

The ongoing government shutdown continues to strain various sectors, including air travel, as federal workers face financial hardships due to missed paychecks. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are anticipated as the shutdown progresses.