What Airport Has the Most Cancellations?

As the federal government shutdown enters its third week, the ripple effects on air travel have hit home hard for Georgians and travelers nationwide. Friday was the first day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) unprecedented mandate requiring a 10% reduction in flights at 40 of the busiest U.S. airports, starting with a 4% cut that will ramp up over the coming days.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest by passenger volume, is among the airports affected, leading to dozens of cancellations and delays that have stranded thousands.

Airports Brace for Delays Amid Government Shutdown

The FAA’s order, issued amid severe air traffic controller shortages due to unpaid federal workers, aims to prevent safety risks from overtaxed systems.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that cuts could escalate to 20% if the shutdown persists, potentially crippling holiday travel.

As of noon Eastern Time on Friday, more than 1,200 flights had been axed nationwide, with projections for up to 1,800 by day’s end. In Atlanta, Delta Air Lines, the dominant carrier at ATL, bore the brunt of the reductions.

The hub saw at least 80 cancellations by midday, primarily on Delta routes to hubs like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Passengers like local business traveler Coretta Simpson described the scene at Terminal South as “organized chaos,” with long lines at customer service counters and rebooking kiosks overwhelmed.

“This shutdown is hitting us right in the wallet and the schedule,” said Simpson, whose flight to LaGuardia was scrubbed. “We’re the gateway to the South—cancellations here affect everyone from tourists to families heading home for Thanksgiving.”

Nationwide, the mandate has unevenly impacted major hubs, with East Coast and Midwest airports seeing the highest raw numbers due to denser flight schedules. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported a 3% cancellation rate across U.S. departures by early morning, far above the typical 1.5% baseline.

Airlines like United, American, and Southwest have proactively slashed schedules to comply, offering waivers for rebookings within 14 days.

While disruptions remained relatively contained on Day 1—with only light delays at most gates—experts caution that weekend peaks and escalating cuts could triple the chaos by Sunday.

For Atlanta travelers, the advice is clear: Check apps like FlightAware religiously, arrive three hours early, and consider driving alternatives for regional trips.

Below is a snapshot of the hardest-hit airports as of noon ET on November 7, based on data from flight-tracking services and airline reports. ATL tops the list, underscoring the mandate’s immediate toll on the Southeast’s travel lifeline.

Data compiled from Cirium, FlightAware, and airline disclosures as of 12 p.m. ET. Numbers are subject to change as airlines adjust schedules.

The shutdown’s origins trace back to partisan gridlock over spending bills, leaving 800,000 federal employees—including 14,000 air traffic controllers—without paychecks.

Travel Advisor Andrea Platania of Transfeero says:  

 “With the aviation system already overstretched, we’re seeing what could be just the beginning of severe holiday disruption. Longer wait times at security, delayed flights, missed connections, and baggage issues are all becoming more likely as understaffing persists. For families travelling with kids or older passengers, even one delay can cascade into a full travel meltdown.

Critics, including the Air Line Pilots Association, argue the cuts prioritize bureaucracy over safety, while FAA officials insist they’re a necessary safeguard.

As Congress reconvenes next week, pressure mounts for a resolution. Until then, Atlanta’s skies—and those across the nation—remain perilously congested. For real-time updates, visit the FAA’s website or your airline’s app. Safe travels, Peach State flyers.