These keywords are trending because the U.S. government is currently in a "shutdown," which means that Congress and the President haven't agreed on how to fund various government services. When a government shutdown happens, many federal employees either get sent home without pay or are forced to work without receiving their regular wages, especially if their jobs are considered essential for public safety.

In the context of air travel, this directly affects critical personnel like air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who are responsible for guiding planes safely and screening passengers at airports. Because these essential workers are operating without pay, there have been increasing reports of fatigue and a rise in sick calls or absences.

To ensure that air travel remains safe despite these staffing challenges, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken the unusual step of ordering airlines to reduce the number of flights, particularly at 40 of the busiest airports across the country. This reduction in flights is happening in phases, with a goal of cutting around 10% of schedules. As a result, hundreds of flights are being canceled, causing significant delays and disruptions for travelers, especially as this situation is unfolding right before a major holiday travel period like Thanksgiving. Airlines like Delta, Southwest, and United are among those affected and are working to adjust their schedules.