🔗 Share this article

Travelers across the United States are bracing for increasing delays as airport staffing shortages further deteriorate during the current federal government shutdown, now entering its seventh day.

Growing Concerns Over Aviation System

Labor leaders for flight controllers and security screeners have warned that the circumstances is expected to worsen, with staffing challenges reported at multiple key airports including locations such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The potential of broader effects to the US aviation system is growing by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He voiced grave concern that should the closure persist, it could potentially disrupt millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Issues

Staffing shortages, including an increased rate of workers taking sick leave, impacted major airports around Denver, Los Angeles and New York on Monday, causing postponements affecting more than 6,000 flights across the country.

• Burbank airport's air traffic control was briefly shut down and operations were handled by another facility
• The Nashville facility experienced postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• Chicago's O'Hare recorded average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• Dallas-Fort Worth experienced delays logged at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Labor Stance

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association emphasized that it does not endorse any organized actions that could adversely impact the national flight network.

The union clarified that flight controllers value their duty to protect public safety very seriously and engaging in any job action could result in removal from federal service.

Official Viewpoint

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the country's air traffic control system is suffering damage from the continuing federal closure.

"They aren't only thinking about the airspace," he remarked regarding air traffic controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a paycheck'?"

The official noted that many controllers live paycheck to paycheck and are unable to manage prolonged durations without compensation.

Wider Consequences

Based on contingency planning, roughly a quarter of the employees, or more than 11,000 aviation administration workers, were temporarily laid off when the closure started last week.

However, 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty, with hiring and training continuing as well.

Labor leader Nick Daniels indicated that the shutdown has highlighted existing challenges faced by flight controllers, including workforce gaps and outdated equipment.

He explained that the circumstances is especially serious at regional facilities where reduced personnel creates additional challenges.

Despite the widespread delays, flight data indicated that roughly ninety-two percent of departures from American airports took off on time as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not activated a "workforce threshold" that would decrease the flight volume in and out of airports, suggesting that operations were continuing despite the difficulties.