Government shutdown disrupts flights as Alaska communities face risks

The current government shutdown, which has grounded, delayed and canceled passenger flights, has also taken a toll on cargo flights, sparking concern among communities that are particularly dependent on imported goods.

As the Transportation Secretary announced further reductions in flight volumes Thursday, that concern is at the forefront of Rep. Nicholas Begich, R-Alaska.

“This is very concerning for Alaska. Many of our rural communities and small villages are not connected to any type of road network and rely on air transportation for basic needs,” Begich said.

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Representative Nicholas Begich photographed next to the Anchorage Airport in Alaska. (Michael Siluk/Getty; Bill Clark/Getty)

“Right now, some of our coastal communities are already struggling to obtain groceries and essentials because extreme weather has limited shipping. If air capacity continues to be disrupted, these challenges will only get worse,” he said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that he expects a 10% drop in U.S. air capacity over the next few days at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, worsening an already existing slowdown across the country.

Many air traffic controllers and TSA agents were asked to work without pay for more than a month during the government shutdown, prompting a growing number of them to call in or find other sources of income. According to FlightAware, an online flight tracking service, U.S. air travel had reported 2,992 delays and 56 flight cancellations as of 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.

“It’s data-driven,” Duffy said. “It’s about: Where is the pressure? How can we alleviate the pressure.”

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that he expects a 10% drop in U.S. air capacity over the next few days at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Although cargo and shipping flights will not only be affected by the closure, they will not receive preferential treatment on the runway either. Maritime flights compete with commercial travelers for space and labor, according to pilots familiar with how planes communicate with air traffic control. This may vary from airport to airport. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that the United States shipped 17,611 ton-miles by air last year – a metric that measures the volume of goods moving through airports. The United States shipped 1,643 ton-miles in October 2024.

In Alaska, shipping plays a more important role. Begich emphasized that it is a key state for the country’s freight transportation.

“Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the second largest cargo hub in the United States, connecting goods from around the world while keeping our state’s communities supplied with food, medicine and basic necessities. Any disruption to operations at Ted Stevens will have serious consequences throughout Alaska and will have a domino effect on other cargo operations across the United States,” Begich said.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on Thursday demanded a closer look at the disruption caused by the shortage of air traffic controllers and called on Republicans to return to the Capitol to resolve the problem.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speak with reporters following their meeting with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders on the government funding crisis, at the Capitol, September 29, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

“We need a full briefing so we can understand from the administration what the current situation is,” Jeffries said.

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Democrats led by Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have rejected a short-term spending bill 14 times, demanding that lawmakers first address the expiration of a health care subsidy program.

The closure became the longest in history earlier this week.