Air travel delays are being experienced at major airports in New York, Washington, Newark, and Houston due to air traffic control staffing challenges amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) highlighted staffing shortages at 10 locations, leading to ground stops at Houston Bush and Newark airports. Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were delayed by an average of 31 minutes, while New York LaGuardia faced delays 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 platform, reported over 4,200 delayed U.S. flights on Thursday, with Reagan, Newark, and LaGuardia experiencing delays of more than 15%, and Bush facing a 13% delay rate.
Concerns are mounting among federal officials that controller absences may escalate over the weekend, as they are set to miss their first full paycheck next Tuesday. The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, expressed apprehension about potential disruptions and cancellations in major airports during the upcoming holiday season.
The shutdown debate has intensified, with Democrats refuting accusations of responsibility and attributing the standoff to President Trump and Republicans. Air traffic control has emerged as a contentious issue, with unions and airlines advocating for a swift resolution to the impasse.
During a 35-day shutdown in 2019, controller and TSA officer absences surged due to missed paychecks, leading to extended checkpoint wait times and air traffic slowdowns in New York and Washington. The FAA is grappling with a shortage of around 3,500 air traffic controllers, who were already working demanding schedules even before the shutdown.