More than 1,400 flights were canceled across the United States Washington, D.C. on Saturday, affecting both domestic and international routes, according to international media reports.

The BBC reported that over 6,000 flights were delayed the same day, following 7,000 delays recorded on Friday. The widespread disruptions have affected passengers traveling to and from the U.S. from various countries.

The cancellations and delays come amid a partial government shutdown after the U.S. Congress failed to pass the federal budget. As a result, several government services and programs have been temporarily suspended, and airlines have been instructed by federal authorities to reduce flight operations.

According to the BBC, due to the budget impasse, air traffic controllers at U.S. airports have been working without pay, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce air traffic capacity by up to 10 percent at the nation’s 40 busiest airports.

The FAA has warned that further reductions in flight operations may follow in the coming days.

The budget stalemate, which began on October 1, has now stretched into its 39th consecutive day, marking the longest budget deadlock in U.S. history.

Lawmakers from the Republican and Democratic parties remain divided over spending bills despite multiple attempts at a bipartisan agreement. Senators spent the past week in Washington, D.C., negotiating potential compromises.

Meanwhile, the effects of the shutdown are becoming more visible, with cuts to food assistance programs and air travel disruptions severely impacting ordinary Americans.

On Saturday, major U.S. airlines issued a joint statement urging political leaders in Washington to find an immediate solution.

The worst disruptions were reported at Newark Liberty International Airport (New Jersey), where incoming flights were delayed by an average of four hours, while departures faced delays of up to 90 minutes.

Other major airports with high cancellation rates included Charlotte Douglas International Airport (North Carolina), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Illinois), and Newark Liberty International Airport (New Jersey).

Flights bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York) were delayed by an average of three hours, those for Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport by two and a half hours, and LaGuardia Airport (New York) by about one hour, according to FAA data.

The crisis has deepened as the Thanksgiving holiday. one of the busiest travel seasons in the U.S. approaches on November 27, leaving travelers increasingly frustrated.

Reports indicate that many air traffic controllers are now taking second jobs to cover basic expenses as the shutdown continues with no end in sight