Key points
- Over 4,200 flights delayed
- Controllers, TSA staff working unpaid for weeks
- Political deadlock deepens as travel chaos worsens
WASHINGTON: Air traffic control staff shortages are causing delays at airports in New York, Washington, Newark, and Houston, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, as the US government shutdown entered its 23rd day.
The FAA reported staffing issues at 10 locations and imposed ground stops at Houston Bush and Newark airports. Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were delayed by an average of 31 minutes, while delays at New York’s LaGuardia averaged 62 minutes, reports Reuters.
Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay during the shutdown.
According to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, over 4,200 US flights were delayed on Thursday, including more than 15 percent of flights at Reagan, Newark, and LaGuardia, and 13 percent at Houston Bush.
Federal officials expressed concern that staff absences among controllers could worsen over the weekend, as they are due to miss their first full pay cheque on Tuesday.
Significant flight delays
“We fear there will be significant flight delays, disruptions and cancellations in major airports across the country this holiday season,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Democrats denied responsibility, blaming President Donald Trump and Republicans for refusing to negotiate.
Air traffic control has become a key flashpoint in the ongoing political standoff, with both parties pointing fingers. Unions and airlines have called for an immediate resolution.
During the 35-day shutdown in 2019, absences among controllers and TSA staff increased as pay cheques were missed, lengthening airport security queues and forcing authorities to slow air traffic in New York and Washington — a move that pressured lawmakers to end the impasse.
The FAA currently has 3,500 fewer air traffic controllers than its target staffing level, with many working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown began.
