🔗 Share this article

Travelers across the United States are bracing for increasing delays as workforce gaps at airports further deteriorate during the current federal government shutdown, now reaching its seventh consecutive day.

Escalating Worries Over Air Travel Network

Union representatives for flight controllers and security screeners have cautioned that the situation is expected to worsen, with staffing challenges reported at several major airports including facilities in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The potential of broader effects to the US aviation system is growing by the day," stated aviation expert Henry Harteveldt.

He voiced grave concern that if the shutdown continues, it could possibly interfere with countless American holiday travel arrangements in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Challenges

Staffing shortages, featuring an increased rate of employees calling in sick, affected key facilities 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 briefly shut down and responsibilities were managed by a different location
• The Nashville facility reported delays of approximately two hours due to workforce challenges
• Chicago's O'Hare showed typical postponements of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• Dallas-Fort Worth had delays logged at half an hour

Sector Reaction and Labor Stance

The primary air traffic controllers union stressed that it does not endorse any organized actions that could adversely impact the national flight network.

The union stated that flight controllers value their duty to protect public safety very seriously and participating in any work stoppage could result in removal from federal service.

Official Viewpoint

The Transportation Department head the transportation official alerted that the national flight control network is being harmed from the ongoing government shutdown.

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

He noted that many operators live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford prolonged durations without compensation.

Wider Consequences

Based on emergency preparations, roughly 25% of the employees, or over eleven thousand FAA employees, were temporarily laid off when the shutdown began last week.

However, 13,000 air traffic controllers continue working, with recruitment and instruction continuing as well.

Union president Nick Daniels indicated that the shutdown has highlighted existing challenges encountered by flight controllers, including staff shortages and outdated equipment.

He explained that the circumstances is especially serious at smaller airports where reduced personnel creates further difficulties.

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

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