By Kimberly Hayek
Chaos erupted at major U.S. airports on Thursday as air traffic controller shortages led to ground delays of more than two hours, leaving travelers stranded nationwide.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented ground delays at multiple airports, including Orlando International, where delays averaged more than 2 hours. Additionally, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport saw 90-minute holdups, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 21-minute setbacks, all largely due to shortfalls in air traffic control staff.
FAA officials canceled a planned Orlando closure for Thursday evening after finding additional personnel.
FlightAware, an aviation tracking platform, showed nearly 6,000 nationwide delays and 1,100 cancellations. Approximately 20 percent of United Airlines flights were affected. The website on Thursday evening showed delays at San Francisco International Airport, LaGuardia, Miami International, Orlando International, and Reagan.
Earlier Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took to social media to warn that air traffic controllers are on track to lose a second paycheck because of the ongoing government shutdown.
The delays are just the latest in what is becoming standard at U.S. airports. More than 8,000 flights were delayed across the nation on Sunday due to air traffic controller absences, with Duffy saying 22 locations were experiencing staffing issues on Saturday, warning that further delays were likely. On Monday, more than 5,600 flights were delayed.
Duffy noted that 44 percent of Sunday’s delays and 24 percent of Monday’s arose from controller absences, which is far greater than the 5 percent pre-shutdown average.
Since the shutdown started Oct. 1, over 13,000 controllers have worked without receiving a paycheck. The FAA had already been short by approximately 3,500 controllers from the ideal level. Air traffic controllers, who have asked for donations as the shutdown drags on, routinely worked overtime and six-day shifts pre-shutdown.
A Department of Transportation release highlighted that more than 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are also unpaid, compounding travel woes.
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Nick Daniels said Tuesday that many air traffic controllers have temporarily taken on second jobs, citing living expenses such as housing, child care, food, and gas as their primary concerns. That number will increase the longer the shutdown continues, he said.
FAA safety advisories amid the government shutdown, which is costing the travel economy an estimated $1 billion per week, underscore sustained operations but note the heightened strain. The advisory system echoed Duffy by noting the increased staffing shortages.
“When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations,” he said.
NATCA opposes the shutdown, calling it a safety hazard.
