Travelers wait in line at the ticket counter at Appleton International Airport. October 21, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — If you plan on boarding an airplane soon, be prepared for delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce 10% of flights at 40 major airports starting Friday, if the federal government shutdown continues.
At this time, Wisconsin airports aren’t expected to see any direct cuts to flights, but depending on where you’re going, there could be a ripple effect for connections. According to Fox World Travel, up to 1,800 flights nationwide could be halted.
Right now, regional airports like Green Bay Austin Straubel International and Appleton International say they won’t see changes.
“However, any flight you’re going to be flying through a connecting city, like Chicago or Dallas or New York or anything like that, will likely be affected, or could be affected,” Fox World Travel Director of Business Relationships Rose Gray said.
Gray said those flying even out of the smaller Wisconsin airports should be prepared for delays.
Meanwhile, air traffic controllers and TSA agents are required to work unpaid during the shutdown, meaning some are calling in sick, leading to staff shortages.
“Our air traffic controllers and a lot of those who work at DOT, but throughout government, they haven’t received paychecks. Because of that, we have seen staffing pressures throughout our airspace,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
The FAA says cutting back flights will help ease staffing shortages. Officials said they made the change as a safety precaution as the record-long government shutdown continues, with no end in sight.
“With a reduction in staff, because some of those employees aren’t getting paid, or most of them aren’t getting paid, the operation needs to slow in order to maintain a high safety level,” Travel Leaders Discovery Director of Business Travel Jesse Funk said.
Funk advised people to keep their travel plans, since 90% of flights are still operating normally. He also suggested travelers keep in close contact with their airlines. Downloading your airline’s app is the best way to keep in touch.
It’s also important to pack patience before you get to the airport.
“We’re optimistic that the industry will keep going, that the flights will continue to operate. Don’t cancel your travel plans because of this, because really, a resolution could come at any time,” Funk said.
Flight reductions are expected to begin Friday and will gradually increase into next week.
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