More than 1,700 flights were canceled across the United States on Monday as the Federal Aviation Administration limited capacity at 40 major US airports and President Donald Trump threatened air traffic controllers to “Back to work NOW!!!”
“ALL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS MUST GET BACK TO WORK NOW!!! And anyone who doesn’t will be grounded in a big way,” Trump said in a social media post on Monday.
In addition to the 1,742 flights canceled Monday, there were also 4,306 flight delays within, to or from the United States, according to air traffic tracking. FlightAware.
Several canceled flights are displayed on a departure board at Boston Logan International Airport in Boston on November 10, 2025.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Trump also claimed to have recommended a $10,000 bonus for air traffic controllers who took no leave during the government shutdown, though he did not elaborate on how that would be done.
“For those who did nothing but complain and took time off, even though everyone knew they were going to be paid in full, for the foreseeable future, I’m not happy with you,” Trump said.
ATC union president Nick Daniels responded to Trump’s post during a news conference, saying monitors deserve to be paid and that the union will work to resolve issues with management.
“I will accept anything that recognizes these hard-working men and women, but we will work with the administration on any issues raised,” Daniels said. “The air traffic controllers did Keep showing up during this lockdown. “They have endured the longest shutdown in American history, and every day, they deserve not only their paychecks, but recognition for what is happening.”
“Once again, air traffic controllers should not be a political pawn during a government shutdown,” he added.
The travel chaos, which comes amid a record federal government shutdown, is expected to continue through Tuesday, according to the tracker. At least 942 flights scheduled for Tuesday have already been cancelled, FlightAware said.
The FAA’s limited capacity does not impact international flights because it would be in violation of international agreements with countries, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an interview with ABC News Live on Friday.
An airport employee helps a traveler at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, more than a month into the ongoing US government shutdown, in Arlington, Virginia, November 9, 2025.
Annabelle Gordon – Reuters
2,953 flights were canceled on Sunday, one of the worst days in modern US history. As of 4 p.m., it had the 11th highest number of cancellations on any day since Jan. 1, 2024, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
There is a shortage of air traffic controllers in most parts of the country, necessitating a reduction in flights, according to Duffy. Air traffic controllers, who are not receiving salaries during the closure, face difficult decisions.
“We took an oath to protect the flying public…and without any money, it’s almost impossible,” Chris Brown, executive vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 10-40, which represents 1,600 North Texas Transportation Safety Administration employees, told ABC News Live on Sunday. “If they can’t pay for daycare and they don’t have any extra resources, there’s no way for them to come to work. They can’t leave their kids at home alone.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.