U.S. officials have decided to delay a new wave of flights on Monday, following reports that 3.2 million air passengers have faced delays or cancellations due to a sharp increase in air traffic controller absences tied to the ongoing government shutdown, which has entered its 34th day. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged that significant ground delays are occurring at major airports in Dallas and Austin due to staffing shortages.
On Monday, nearly 2,900 flights were delayed, with further disruptions anticipated at airports in Houston and Washington, D.C. The shutdown has left 13,000 air traffic controllers and around 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay, leading to considerable operational hurdles for the aviation sector.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has previously warned about the dangers posed to the nation’s aviation system during the shutdown, stating that if safety became a concern, airspace would be closed. Fortunately, although significant delays continue, the situation has not escalated to that extent.
Last Friday was particularly chaotic, marking the worst day for air travel since the shutdown began. The FAA reported that nearly half of the busiest 30 airports in the U.S. faced staffing shortages. More than 6,200 flights were delayed that day alone, and over 500 cancellations were recorded, with an alarming 80% of controllers absent in New York. Duffy informed that controller absences were responsible for 65% of the delays that day.
Since the government shutdown commenced on October 1, over 3.2 million passengers have been impacted, with 300,000 affected just on the previous Friday, according to Airlines for America. The trade association, which includes major carriers like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, indicated that the rate of delays due to staffing problems surged from 5% before the shutdown to 79% in early November.
In response to these ongoing challenges, airlines have reached out to lawmakers, conveying their concerns about the long-term impact on operations, especially with the holiday travel season approaching. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby highlighted the adverse effects on flight bookings, expressing concern about a potential drop in travel demand.
Duffy has addressed the increasing number of sick calls from air traffic controllers, noting the personal struggles many face and urging all controllers to report to work. In light of air traffic controller absences leading to lengthy security lines at various airports, airports like San Diego and Houston have experienced wait times exceeding three hours during busy periods. Recently, approximately 5,800 delays and 244 cancellations were logged over the weekend.
This situation underscores not only the resilience of airline personnel but also the urgent need for lawmakers to address the funding deadlock. As negotiations around a budget agreement advance, there is hope that dedicated aviation professionals will soon return to normal operations, paving the way for improved air travel experiences and restoring passenger confidence amidst ongoing disruptions.