Staff shortages are causing ground delays and increased wait times at airports nationwide due to ongoing government shutdowns.
Travelers expecting quick stopovers in major cities are facing unexpected flight disruptions, including cancellations and long delays.
On Tuesday alone, over 3,600 flights faced delays, while 70 were outright canceled. By Wednesday morning, 460 flights had been delayed, and 25 had been canceled, according to tracking services.
Essential personnel like air traffic controllers are under pressure to work without guaranteed pay, despite the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019 intending to protect their wages. However, a recent memo from the White House offers a different view of this law.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has encouraged employees to keep their spirits up despite the uncertainty but admitted that the federal shutdown will continue to affect air travel, creating a “ripple effect” for passengers.
The following airports are currently facing staffing challenges:
Hollywood Burbank Airport
Hollywood Burbank has seen numerous delays and cancellations directly linked to the government shutdown. On Monday, air traffic control was inactive between 4:15 and 10 p.m.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the situation, posting about it and tagging the White House. He pointed out that Burbank Airport had no air traffic controllers during that time.
Earlier this year, Washington Post readers ranked Hollywood Burbank Airport among the top 15 in the U.S., highlighting its efficient flight times and navigability.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
As the busiest airport in the country, Hartsfield-Jackson also experienced some disruptions recently. By Wednesday morning, it had recorded 65 delays and two cancellations, with 165 flights delayed on Tuesday.
An airport spokesperson insisted that these disruptions were not linked to the government shutdown. However, the FAA has noted staffing concerns at the Atlanta traffic control center.
Duffy mentioned that they are monitoring sick leave calls and that such increases can lead to delays. “Our priority is safety,” he noted, explaining that they would adjust accordingly.
Chicago O’Hare Airport
At Chicago O’Hare, a ground delay program was implemented Tuesday evening, causing flight delays of around 40 minutes for approximately five hours.
By Wednesday morning, there were reports of 25 delayed flights. O’Hare usually sees a high volume of traffic and experienced its busiest month in July, marking a significant milestone in its operational history.
Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston Airports
Three Texas airports are also facing delays due to insufficient staffing. George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airports in Houston were at risk of ground stops on Tuesday, but managed to avoid them. However, Dallas Love Field reported significant delays, some exceeding an hour.
Johnny Jones, president of Local 1040 of the American Federation of Government Employees in Dallas, expressed that the longer the shutdown lasts, the more challenging the situation may become for employees. Uncertainty hangs in the air, and the impending partial paychecks worry many workers.
Other Affected Airports
Besides those mentioned, airports in Newark, New Jersey, and Nashville, Tennessee, are also facing staffing shortages. The FAA has reported that Daytona Beach Airport in Florida, Boston Logan Airport, and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas experienced closures at various times Wednesday.
