U.S. officials have postponed a new wave of flights on Monday as airlines reported that an alarming 3.2 million air passengers have experienced delays or cancellations due to a surge in air traffic controller absences linked to the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 34th day. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that major airports in Dallas and Austin are experiencing ground delays due to staff shortages.
On Monday alone, nearly 2,900 flights were delayed, with the potential for more disruptions anticipated at airports in Houston and Washington, D.C. The shutdown has compelled 13,000 air traffic controllers and around 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers to continue their duties without pay, creating significant operational challenges across the aviation sector.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy previously warned about the risks to the nation’s aviation system amid the ongoing shutdown, stating, “If we thought that it was unsafe, we’ll shut the whole airspace down.” Fortunately, he noted that the situation had not yet reached that level, although significant delays persist.
Friday marked the worst day for air travel since the shutdown began, with the FAA reporting that nearly half of the 30 busiest U.S. airports suffered from air traffic controller shortages. That day alone saw more than 6,200 flights delayed and over 500 cancellations, with an astonishing 80% of controllers absent in New York. Duffy indicated that controller absences accounted for 65% of the delays on that day.
Since the shutdown commenced on October 1, more than 3.2 million passengers have been affected, including 300,000 just last Friday, according to Airlines for America, the trade association that represents major carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. Alarmingly, the group stated that the percentage of delays attributed to staffing issues jumped from 5% before the shutdown to 79% in early November.
In light of these disruptions, airlines have reached out to lawmakers to express their concerns about the enduring impact on operations, especially with the holiday travel season on the horizon. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby emphasized that the shutdown is already affecting flight bookings and expressed apprehension regarding the potential for a further decline in travel demand.
Duffy has also addressed the rising number of sick calls from air traffic controllers, asserting, “They are trying to put food on their families’ table,” and encouraged all controllers to report to work.
With air traffic controller absences contributing to longer security lines at various airports, recent days have seen particularly long wait times at airports like San Diego and Houston, where security lines exceeded three hours. On another busy weekend, approximately 5,800 delays and 244 cancellations were reported.
This situation not only highlights the resilience of airline staff but also serves as a call to action for lawmakers to resolve the funding stalemate. As discussions on a budget agreement progress, there is hope that these dedicated professionals will be able to return to normal operations, which could herald smoother air travel and restore passenger confidence amidst the ongoing chaos.