🔗 Share this article

Travelers across the United States are preparing for increasing delays as workforce gaps at airports continue to worsen during the current federal government shutdown, now entering its seventh day.

Growing Concerns Over Aviation System

Union representatives for air traffic controllers and TSA agents have cautioned that the circumstances is expected to worsen, with staffing challenges reported at several key airports including facilities in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The risk of wider impacts to the American air travel network is growing by the day," stated aviation expert Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed grave concern that should the closure persist, it could possibly interfere with countless American holiday travel arrangements in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Issues

Staffing shortages, featuring an increased rate of workers taking sick leave, affected 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 flight control was temporarily closed and operations were handled by a different location
• Nashville airport reported delays of approximately two hours due to staffing issues
• Chicago's O'Hare showed typical postponements of 41 minutes
• Dallas-Fort Worth experienced delays logged at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Labor Stance

The primary air traffic controllers union stressed that it does not support any organized actions that could adversely impact the National Airspace System.

The union stated that air traffic controllers take their responsibility to protect public safety extremely earnestly and engaging in any job action could result in termination of employment.

Government Perspective

Transportation Secretary the transportation official alerted that the country's air traffic control system is suffering damage from the continuing federal closure.

"They're not just thinking about the flight paths," he remarked regarding flight controllers who are working without pay. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a paycheck'?"

He noted that many controllers depend on regular income and are unable to manage extended periods without compensation.

Broader Implications

According to contingency planning, approximately a quarter of the workforce, or more than 11,000 aviation administration workers, were furloughed when the closure started last week.

Nevertheless, thirteen thousand flight controllers continue working, with recruitment and instruction also ongoing.

Labor leader Nick Daniels indicated that the shutdown has emphasized existing challenges encountered by flight controllers, including staff shortages and aging technology.

He clarified that the situation is especially serious at smaller airports where limited staffing creates additional challenges.

Regardless of the extensive postponements, aviation analytics showed that approximately ninety-two percent of flights departing from US airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not activated a "staffing trigger" that would reduce the number of flights in and out of airports, indicating that activities were continuing despite the difficulties.