🔗 Share this article

Passengers across the United States are bracing for growing disruptions as airport staffing shortages further deteriorate during the current government closure, now reaching its seventh consecutive day.

Growing Concerns Over Aviation System

Union representatives for flight controllers and TSA agents have cautioned that the circumstances is expected to worsen, with staffing challenges reported at multiple key airports including locations such as Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

"The risk of wider impacts to the US aviation system continues to increase by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He voiced serious worry that should the closure persist, it could potentially disrupt millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Challenges

Staffing shortages, featuring an increased rate of workers taking sick leave, impacted key facilities around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights across the country.

• Burbank airport's air traffic control was briefly shut down and responsibilities were managed by a different location
• Nashville airport reported postponements averaging 120 minutes due to staffing issues
• Chicago's O'Hare showed average delays of 41 minutes
• Dallas-Fort Worth experienced delays logged at half an hour

Industry Response and Labor Stance

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association emphasized that it does not support any coordinated activities that could negatively affect the National Airspace System.

The organization stated that flight controllers take their responsibility to ensure passenger security extremely earnestly and participating in any job action could result in termination of employment.

Government Perspective

Transportation Secretary the transportation official warned that the national flight control network is suffering damage from the ongoing government shutdown.

"They're not just thinking about the airspace," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're thinking about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

He noted that many controllers live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford extended periods without compensation.

Wider Consequences

According to emergency preparations, roughly a quarter of the workforce, or more than 11,000 aviation administration workers, were temporarily laid off when the shutdown began last week.

However, 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty, with recruitment and instruction continuing as well.

Union president Nick Daniels pointed out that the closure has highlighted preexisting issues encountered by air traffic controllers, including staff shortages and outdated equipment.

He explained that the circumstances is especially serious at smaller airports where limited staffing creates further difficulties.

Regardless of the widespread delays, flight data indicated that roughly 92% of departures from American airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not issued a "staffing trigger" that would decrease the flight volume in and out of airports, indicating that operations were continuing despite the difficulties.