Storyline: More than 2,000 flights were canceled and over 7,000 delayed nationwide as the U.S. federal government shutdown entered its 40th day on Sunday, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Since the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) mandated flight reduction policy took effect on Friday, the number of canceled flights surged from 202 on Thursday to 1,025 on Friday, and further to 1,566 on Saturday. The number of air traffic controllers taking leave has risen since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, forcing many others to work overtime. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA recently announced a 10 percent capacity reduction at 40 major airports across the country starting Friday, aiming to ease staffing pressures and reduce airspace safety risks. Flight cancellations and delays have severely disrupted travelers across the U.S. At Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah, a China Media Group (CMG) reporter, who would take a connecting flight at Denver International Airport in Colorado before reaching her final destination, documented the effects of reduced capacity. With many flights canceled, the departure hall was unusually quiet, and only half the boarding gates were in use. At the Denver airport, one of the nation's busiest hubs, the reporter received a notice that her flight to Newark Liberty International Airport was delayed due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Flight-tracking data showed that at around 16:00 Sunday, aside from aircraft already airborne, the majority of U.S. flights were either delayed or canceled. Shotlist: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA - Nov 9, 2025: 1. Screen showing flight information 2. Various of airplanes at tarmac Denver, Colorado, USA - Nov 9, 2025: 3. Screen showing information on canceled, delayed flights 4. Various of screen showing flight information 5. Various of planes, facilities at airport 6. Various of travelers gathering, queuing at airport New Jersey, USA - Nov 7, 2025: 7. Various of travelers with luggage walking, waiting at Newark Liberty International Airport 8. Various of planes at airport [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]