CHICAGO — More than 1,000 flights were canceled across the United States on Saturday due to ongoing restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amid a government shutdown. As of 3:30 p.m. ET, there were 1,048 cancellations and over 4,000 delays reported nationwide. This marks an increase from Friday's total of 1,024 cancellations.

The FAA has been limiting flight capacity at 40 major airports, which has led to significant delays. Staffing shortages in air traffic control towers and centers are contributing to the disruptions. On Saturday afternoon, there were 25 staffing-related triggers, including a ground stop in Nashville, which is expected to last until 3:45 p.m. Earlier ground stops were also reported in Austin, New York's JFK and LaGuardia, Dallas, and Charlotte.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concern about the potential for further reductions in air travel if the government shutdown continues. In an interview, he stated, "My hope is that this government shutdown will end soon and we can get back in the business of letting Americans travel." Duffy indicated that the Department of Transportation might request airlines to cancel more than 10% of their flights if air traffic controller absenteeism continues to rise.

The FAA has advised private jets to avoid flying into the affected airports, although they are not currently prohibited from doing so. Duffy noted that private jet companies have been cooperating by choosing alternate airports to help ease congestion.

The cancellations represent one of the most significant disruptions to air travel since the government shutdown began over a month ago. Duffy emphasized that the FAA would not cut international flights, as doing so would violate international agreements. 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."

As the shutdown extends into its second month, the situation continues to evolve. On Sunday, over 7,000 flights were delayed, and cancellations exceeded 2,200, according to flight-tracking data. Major airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Newark Liberty, Chicago O'Hare, and New York's LaGuardia, experienced significant delays.

Duffy reported that the number of air traffic controllers retiring has increased dramatically during the shutdown, with 15 to 20 controllers retiring daily, compared to four before the shutdown. He warned that this trend could have lasting effects on air travel even after the government reopens.

In response to the staffing crisis, Duffy mentioned that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had offered to deploy air traffic controllers from reserves, although the feasibility of this plan remains uncertain. The ongoing situation highlights the challenges facing the aviation industry as it navigates the impacts of the government shutdown and staffing shortages.