As of today, February 28, 2026, the aviation landscape in the United States is still reeling from the effects of the recent government shutdown, which has led to significant disruptions across the country. On November 9, over 10,000 flights were delayed, and 3,200 flights were canceled due to new flight reductions mandated by the FAA. These reductions were a direct response to the ongoing government shutdown and winter storms that have plagued airports nationwide. Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports are among the 40 airports affected by these necessary cuts, as confirmed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
In a recent analysis by SmartAsset, which utilized data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the performance of 75 of the largest airports in the U.S. was assessed based on punctuality. This analysis revealed a stark contrast between airports with the most on-time flights and those that struggled with delays.
Flight Performance Rankings
According to the findings, Honolulu International Airport (HNL) topped the list with an impressive 87.4% of its flights arriving on time. Following closely behind were Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) at 86.1% and John Wayne Airport (SNA) at 85.1%. Unfortunately, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) did not fare as well, ranking 71st overall. With only 58.7% of arriving flights and 69.2% of departing flights being on time in July, O’Hare achieved a total punctuality rate of 64.4%. Midway was slightly better, coming in at 65th place with a punctuality rate of 65.5%.
The situation was exacerbated by the actions of some government officials. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) publicly criticized President Trump for his threats against air traffic controllers who chose to take leave during the staffing shortages caused by the shutdown. Duckworth described Trump’s actions as “disgraceful and dangerous,” emphasizing that controllers prioritizing safety should not be penalized for their absence due to illness. In response to the crisis, Trump demanded that all air traffic controllers return to work immediately, even proposing a $10,000 bonus for those who remained on the job without taking time off.
Ongoing Challenges and Solutions
As the government shutdown continues to affect air travel, the need for reliable air traffic control has never been more critical. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy backed Trump’s stance, underscoring the importance of having controllers on duty and expressing gratitude to those who continued to work during these challenging times. Meanwhile, Duckworth voted against a measure to end the shutdown, highlighting the divide among Senate Democrats regarding funding and support for federal workers, including air traffic controllers, who are expected to receive back pay for the duration of the shutdown.
The recent disruptions are a wake-up call for the aviation industry, showing just how intertwined government operations are with air travel. Travelers and airport staff alike are hoping for a swift resolution to the current challenges, so that the skies can clear up and the planes can get back on track.
For more details on the performance of airports and the ongoing situation, you can read the full analysis from Star Courier and further coverage on the government shutdown from CBS News.
Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate through these turbulent times in air travel.