ATLANTA, Nov. 6, 2025 — Delta Air Lines has preemptively canceled about 170 regional and mainline flights scheduled for Friday, the company told CNN.
A Delta spokesperson said more regional flights may be canceled as the airline continues to adjust its schedule in response to disruptions stemming from the ongoing government shutdown. The carrier did not specify which airports would be most affected or whether cancellations were linked to reduced air traffic control operations due to the lapse in federal funding (CNN).
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already warned of staffing shortages as unpaid federal workers continue to miss paychecks, leading to potential nationwide delays and flight reductions beginning Friday. The Trump administration earlier this week confirmed that it would begin cutting 10% of flights at 40 major airports as part of emergency operations measures.
Democrats Remain Divided on Funding Compromise
As travel disruptions escalate, Senate Democrats are still uncertain about whether they will support an emerging bipartisan deal aimed at reopening the government. The plan would pair a short-term stopgap funding bill with a three-bill appropriations package to finance key federal agencies.
Democratic senators met for a closed-door strategy session Thursday but offered few details afterward. Many emphasized unity on health care policy rather than agreement on the funding proposal itself.
“We had a really good caucus meeting. I think we’re very unified on a number of items, and we’re going to continue to work going forward,” said Sen. Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat.
“I would hope [this ends] soon. It’s up to the Republicans, but I hope so.”
When asked whether Democrats were unified in favor or against the emerging deal, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said only, “Everybody wants to extend the premium tax credits.”
GOP Plans Votes on Funding Package
Republican leaders are expected to hold votes as soon as Friday on the potential deal, which includes both a continuing resolution and long-term appropriations bills covering agencies such as the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education.
Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters after a GOP lunch meeting that the Senate will likely remain in session through Friday, with additional votes to fund select federal agencies.
“I expect us to be here tomorrow voting to reopen the government and fund agencies,” Kennedy said.
The 37-day shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, continues to ripple through sectors ranging from aviation to food assistance, with millions of Americans feeling the effects of furloughs, benefit delays, and travel disruptions (CNN).
Source: CNN – Delta Airlines cancels around 170 flights scheduled for Friday