Air travel delays are being experienced at several airports in the United States due to air traffic control staffing challenges caused by the ongoing government shutdown, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The affected airports include those in New York, Washington, Newark, and Houston. The FAA has identified staffing shortages at 10 locations, resulting in ground stops at Houston Bush and Newark airports. Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are facing average delays of 31 minutes, while delays at New York LaGuardia are averaging 62 minutes.
Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay during the shutdown. FlightAware, a flight tracking website, reported over 4,200 delayed flights on Thursday, with more than 15% of flights at Reagan, Newark, and LaGuardia affected, along with 13% at Bush.
Concerns are rising among federal officials that controller absences may escalate over the weekend, as controllers will miss their first full paycheck next week. The White House Press Secretary expressed worries about potential flight disruptions and cancellations during the upcoming holiday season.
The shutdown has sparked a contentious debate, with Democrats blaming President Donald Trump and Republicans for the impasse, while the other side rejects this accusation. Air traffic control has emerged as a focal point in the shutdown discourse, prompting calls from unions and airlines for a swift resolution to the standoff.
During a previous 35-day shutdown in 2019, the number of absences among controllers and TSA officers rose as they missed paychecks, leading to extended checkpoint wait times at airports in New York and Washington. The FAA is currently facing a shortage of about 3,500 air traffic controllers compared to its target staffing levels, with many controllers already working long hours and overtime even before the shutdown.