U.S. Government Shutdown Causes Over 8,000 Flight Delays — Air Freight Forwarders Sound the Alarm

Severe Air Traffic Disruptions Ripple Across Supply Chains

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has led to a growing crisis in the nation’s air transport system. According to Reuters, the shutdown has entered its 26th day, resulting in widespread staff shortages among air traffic controllers and triggering extensive flight disruptions nationwide.

On Sunday, October 26, data from flight-tracking website FlightAware showed that more than 8,000 flights were delayed across the United States, with another 5,300 delays recorded on Saturday. The situation is rapidly escalating as key aviation personnel remain unpaid and continue to seek other sources of income.

FAA Staffing Shortages Intensify the Problem

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faced air traffic controller shortages at 22 major locations over the weekend.

He further warned, “More staff shortages are expected in the coming days, which could lead to additional flight delays and cancellations.”

Due to the shutdown, the FAA now operates with approximately 3,500 fewer controllers than normal — a critical gap that is disrupting both passenger and cargo flight operations.

Air Freight Forwarders Issue Industry Warning

The Airforwarders Association (AfA) released an urgent statement on October 27, warning that the disruptions are already leading to cargo backlogs and supply chain bottlenecks across major U.S. airports.

AfA Executive Director Brandon Fried emphasized:

> “Air cargo relies on a fully functioning federal government. TSA officers handle cargo screening, while CBP officials play a vital role in import and export clearances. If key personnel at TSA, FAA, and CBP continue to go unpaid, absenteeism will rise — slowing operations, creating backlogs, and harming the broader economy.”

Compounding Pressures on U.S. Air Freight

Industry analysts point out that these delays are worsening the effects of previous logistics policy changes — including the rollback of the T86 de minimis policy and ongoing tariff measures. Together, these factors are tightening capacity, increasing costs, and prolonging transit times for international shipments.

Moreover, as passenger flights often take priority over cargo aircraft in air traffic management, the current wave of flight delays further reduces available air freight capacity, leading to even longer delivery times and higher freight rates.

Goodship’s Perspective

At Goodship, we are closely monitoring the evolving air freight situation in the United States. For shippers moving goods from China to the U.S., it’s crucial to plan ahead — considering flexible transport solutions that balance time and cost, such as combined sea-air routes or direct charter options when available.

Our logistics team continues to provide real-time updates, capacity coordination, and route optimization to ensure minimal disruption to clients’ shipments.