Airport Delays Expected to Worsen Amid Government Shutdown
NEW YORK – Americans traveling through airports nationwide are likely to face increasing difficulties this week unless Congress can finalize an agreement to reopen the federal government.
In response to regulatory requirements, U.S. airlines already grounded over 1,500 flights on Saturday and around 2,900 on Sunday. This disruption is partly due to some air traffic controllers who have gone nearly a month without pay.
By early Monday, airlines had canceled about 1,600 flights for that day and 1,000 for Tuesday.
While the Senate has taken preliminary steps toward resolving the shutdown, there’s still uncertainty surrounding the timeline for a final resolution. Experts caution that even when government operations resume, it will take time for flight schedules to stabilize.
Many airports are currently grappling with significant delays—even for flights that remain on schedule. Newark, Orlando, Chicago, and Detroit are all reporting departures delayed by an hour or more, and those numbers seem to be climbing, according to FlightAware.
This is not the first time air traffic controllers have worked without pay amid such circumstances. The Air Traffic Controllers Union President, Nick Daniels, is expected to hold a press conference on Monday morning to discuss how the shutdown is affecting controllers.
With a shortage of air traffic controllers, delays and cancellations are likely to worsen, making it challenging for airlines to reassign aircraft, pilots, and crew members.
The FAA initiated a mandatory 4% reduction in flights this past weekend to manage staffing concerns. This limit is set to rise to 6% on Tuesday and may escalate to 10% by the end of the week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated on a recent program that even further reductions, potentially up to 20%, could be necessary.
“Each day, more air traffic controllers are absent from work. They’re continuing in their roles without pay,” Duffy noted.
The ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers has persisted through multiple administrations, each attempting to encourage retired controllers to remain in service. Duffy explained that the current situation exacerbates these issues and is prompting some controllers to retire earlier than planned.
While a 4% reduction might seem minor, a significant portion of this cut is affecting some of the busiest airports and routes across the nation. The FAA has pointed out that these reductions are critical for maintaining traveler safety as the remaining controllers work longer hours and face mandatory overtime while funding issues persist.
If this situation isn’t resolved soon, it could deteriorate further just as the holiday travel season kicks into high gear. Duffy mentioned that air travel could see a slight dip during Thanksgiving week.
