FAA is cutting flights due to shutdown. Indianapolis is among airports affected, report says

(This story has been updated with new information.)

Following weeks of flight disruptions and stress across the country due to federal staffing issues, the FAA will reduce flights by 10% in 40 "high-volume" markets beginning Friday, Nov. 7, to ensure safe air travel, federal officials said.

Indianapolis International Airport will be impacted, according to news reports in advance of the Federal Aviation Administration's release of the official list, but it's not clear how many of its flights will be affected. So far, Indianapolis has not seen widespread flight delays or long security lines at the airport, even as bigger cities have grappled with travel chaos.

With downtown Indianapolis in the background, a Delta plane sits at the Indianapolis International Airport. Photo taken Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy told reporters on Nov. 5 that his department Is going to work with airlines to find areas feeling the stress of fewer air traffic controllers, which will most likely lead to more flight cancellations.

“This is data-based," Duffy said at a news conference, according to USA TODAY reporting. "This is not based on what airline travel has more flights out of what location. This is about where is the pressure and how do we alleviate the pressure.”

The FAA's announcement came on the 36th day of the longest government shutdown in American history, which is interrupting federal assistance and daily operations across the country.

Air traffic controllers tasked with managing aircraft movements on runways and in the skies are working without pay during the shutdown, leading to more controllers calling in sick and triggering short staff warnings from the FAA. Vital Transportation Security Administration workers in charge of screening passengers also are working without pay, complicating air travel further.

The Indianapolis Airport Authority did not immediately have more information to share on Nov. 5, spokesperson Stephanie McFarland said. More than 10.5 million passengers traveled through the Indianapolis International Airport in 2024, marking a record for the airport.

Many of those passengers were traveling to other high-volume markets, such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta, which are also likely to see reductions.

How to check your flight status

Airport officials recommend checking with your airline to see if your flight is delayed or cancelled. Ultimately, flight schedules are determined by individual airlines, not airports.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Alysa Guffey writes business, health and development stories for IndyStar. Have a story tip? Contact her at [email protected] or on X: @AlysaGuffeyNews.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: FAA is cutting flights due to shutdown. Indianapolis is among airports affected, report says