The cancellations, largely announced days or weeks in advance rather than at the last minute, come as carriers adjust schedules to manage higher operating costs. Lufthansa Group said it would cut around 20,000 short-haul flights across its network through October, reflecting broader industry pressures.

The timing coincides with a seasonal surge in travel demand and major global events such as the FIFA World Cup, increasing pressure on airlines and airport capacity. Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, said the disruption adds complexity for passengers navigating varying compensation rules and rebooking options.

Airlines typically offer affected passengers a choice between a refund or rebooking on the next available flight, though the scope of rights depends on the jurisdiction. In the United States, passengers are entitled to a full refund if they choose not to travel following a cancellation, regardless of the cause.

Internationally, protections differ significantly. The Montreal Convention governs airline liability across more than 140 countries, while regional frameworks in the European Union and the United Kingdom provide stronger protections, including compensation in certain cases and a “duty of care” requiring airlines to assist passengers during disruptions.

In contrast, protections in the United States, Canada and parts of Asia are more limited or dependent on airline policies. Industry experts advise travelers to review the passenger rights rules of their departure country before flying.

Travelers affected by cancellations are encouraged to check airline apps or websites for rebooking options, retain documentation such as tickets and communications, and consider alternative routes or airports where necessary.

Experts caution against immediately accepting the first rebooking option without exploring other possibilities.Airlines have cited fuel shortages and rising costs as key drivers of schedule reductions, though such reasons do not automatically negate passenger rights in jurisdictions with stronger consumer protections.

The disruptions highlight mounting pressure on the aviation sector as it navigates elevated fuel costs and peak travel demand ahead of the summer season.

Unpaid federal employees have called out from duty, leaving reduced screening capacity at major airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where travelers faced hours-long waits, according to accounts from passengers attempting to reach destinations such as Washington.

The disruption has driven some travelers to rail alternatives, including overnight services operated by Amtrak. The Crescent line, connecting the southeastern United States to Washington, has seen increased reliance from passengers seeking certainty amid airport congestion.

Rail stations reported fewer delays tied to security processing, with passengers boarding closer to departure times and avoiding bottlenecks associated with the Transportation Security Administration, which has been affected by staffing shortages during the shutdown.

The budget standoff, rooted partly in disputes over immigration enforcement funding, has also drawn in agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which remains central to the administration’s policy agenda.

The partial shutdown has left gaps in federal operations, including airport screening, highlighting vulnerabilities in essential travel infrastructure when government funding lapses.

The shift toward rail underscores long-standing structural dynamics in U.S. transportation, where policy, subsidies and political priorities have historically shaped the balance between rail, road and air travel.

While air travel remains the dominant mode for long-distance domestic journeys, the current disruption has revived reliance on legacy rail networks, particularly along the East Coast corridor linking major urban centers.

The Senate reached a bipartisan proposal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding immigration enforcement, but House Republican leaders rejected the measure, prolonging the impasse and its effects on national mobility.

Trump announced the move in a social media post, citing a need to end what he called “chaos at the airports,” while lawmakers worked overnight to pass a measure that would fund most DHS operations but exclude immigration enforcement agencies central to the political dispute.

The Senate approved the funding deal unanimously without a roll call vote, sending the measure to the House of Representatives for consideration later on Friday.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the agreement would allow much of the government to reopen, though negotiations would continue on unresolved issues.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the delay, saying the agreement could have been reached earlier and reiterating demands for reforms tied to immigration enforcement funding.

The White House had considered invoking emergency powers to pay TSA workers during the shutdown. Instead, Trump’s order will direct payments using funds from a 2025 tax law, according to a senior administration official.

The funding package covers agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard, but leaves out Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, reflecting the core disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over immigration policy.

Travel disruptions mountThe prolonged funding lapse has led to significant operational strain at U.S. airports, with rising absenteeism among TSA staff who have missed paychecks.

Government data showed more than 11% of scheduled TSA workers were absent on Wednesday, with some airports reporting callout rates exceeding 40%.Nearly 500 of the agency’s roughly 50,000 transportation security officers have resigned during the shutdown, exacerbating delays and raising concerns about airport operations nationwide.

Union officials welcomed the move to pay TSA employees but urged Congress to pass a comprehensive funding agreement to stabilize DHS operations and ensure all federal workers are compensated.