For the second consecutive day, flight delays are affecting various US airports due to air traffic control staffing challenges, coinciding with the seventh day of the government shutdown, according to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notice on Tuesday.
Flight tracking data reveals that over 3,000 flights have been delayed as staffing shortages spread to more airports, including those in Houston, Nashville, Dallas, Chicago O’Hare, and Newark.
The FAA is limiting the number of incoming flights at Chicago O’Hare due to staffing issues, resulting in an average delay of 41 minutes, and similar problems are reported at the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center.
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Flights arriving at Newark are experiencing delays of up to 30 minutes due to staffing shortages, while Washington Reagan is anticipated to face additional slowdowns on Tuesday, the FAA reported.
Nashville’s air traffic control is encountering notable staffing problems, prompting a reduction in operations later on Tuesday, with Memphis Center assuming approach control duties, according to the FAA.
Both political parties are blaming each other for the disruptions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed Democrats for the aviation issues, while California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, held President Donald Trump accountable.
Adverse weather conditions are also affecting flights nationwide.
Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are required to work during the shutdown but are not receiving pay. They are expected to receive a partial paycheck on October 14 for work done before the shutdown commenced.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned on Monday a slight rise in sick leave among controllers, and that air traffic staffing has been reduced by 50% in certain areas since the shutdown began last week.
“Without sufficient controllers, we prioritize airspace safety by slowing traffic,” Duffy stated on Tuesday during an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends”.
FlightAware, a flight tracking platform, reported that more than 3,000 flights within the US were delayed on Tuesday, including 225 delays at Nashville, representing 20% of its flights, and over 570 delays at Chicago O’Hare, exceeding 20% of its flights.
Southwest Airlines reported over 500 flight delays, while American Airlines experienced 400, as per FlightAware data.
During a 35-day shutdown in 2019, controller and TSA officer absences increased as missed paychecks led to extended checkpoint wait times at some airports. This compelled authorities to slow air traffic in New York, pressuring lawmakers to swiftly resolve the impasse.
For over a decade, the US has struggled with air traffic control staffing deficits, with many controllers working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown. The FAA is currently short by about 3,500 air traffic controllers from its staffing targets.
