🔗 Share this article

Travelers across the United States are preparing for increasing disruptions as workforce gaps at airports further deteriorate during the ongoing government closure, now reaching its seventh consecutive day.

Growing Concerns Over Aviation System

Union representatives for flight controllers and security screeners have warned that the circumstances is expected to worsen, with workforce issues documented at multiple key airports including facilities in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The potential of broader effects to the US aviation system is growing by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed grave concern that if the shutdown continues, it could possibly interfere with millions of Americans' holiday travel arrangements in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Challenges

Workforce gaps, including an elevated number of employees calling in sick, impacted key facilities around Denver, Los Angeles and New York on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights across the country.

• Burbank airport's air traffic control was briefly shut down and operations were handled by a different location
• The Nashville facility experienced delays of approximately two hours due to staffing issues
• Chicago's O'Hare recorded average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• The DFW airport had postponements recorded at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Labor Stance

The primary air traffic controllers union emphasized that it does not support any coordinated activities that could adversely impact the National Airspace System.

The organization stated that air traffic controllers take their responsibility to ensure passenger security very seriously and engaging in any job action could lead to termination of employment.

Official Viewpoint

The Transportation Department head Sean Duffy alerted that the country's air traffic control system is being harmed from the ongoing government shutdown.

"They aren't only thinking about the flight paths," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

The official noted that many controllers depend on regular income and are unable to manage extended periods without payment.

Wider Consequences

According to contingency planning, approximately 25% of the workforce, or over eleven thousand aviation administration workers, were furloughed when the shutdown began last week.

Nevertheless, thirteen thousand flight controllers continue working, with recruitment and instruction continuing as well.

Labor leader Nick Daniels indicated that the closure has highlighted preexisting issues faced by flight controllers, including staff shortages and aging technology.

He clarified that the circumstances is especially serious at regional facilities where limited staffing creates further difficulties.

Regardless of the widespread delays, aviation analytics indicated that roughly 92% of flights departing from US airports took off on time as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration had not issued a "staffing trigger" that would decrease the number of flights in and out of airports, suggesting that operations were continuing despite the challenges.