Airports across the United States are facing significant disruptions as the government shutdown extends into its second month. Travelers are experiencing widespread flight delays and cancellations, primarily due to staffing shortages among essential personnel, including air traffic controllers who are working without pay.
Key Takeaways
- Over 5,000 flights delayed on Sunday alone.
- Staffing shortages account for a high percentage of recent delays.
- Air traffic controllers are working without pay, leading to concerns.
- Transportation Secretary warns of more delays for safety reasons.
Flight Delays Mount Amid Staffing Shortages
The past weekend marked one of the most challenging periods for air travel since the government shutdown began. Thousands of flights across American airports experienced delays, leading to long lines and frustrated passengers. On Sunday, more than 5,000 flights traveling to and from U.S. airports were delayed. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported screening nearly 2.7 million people nationwide on that day.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that more delays and cancellations are likely if the shutdown continues. Air traffic controllers, critical for coordinating aircraft safely within the airspace, are deemed essential workers and must report to duty despite not receiving their salaries.
"None of them can miss two paychecks," Secretary Duffy said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." He added, "They all start — their home finances fall apart, and they’re all going to have to look at taking second jobs or quitting and getting into another line of work. And the consequence of that is very real for our air system."
Delay Statistics
- Sunday: 84% of total delay minutes attributed to staffing issues.
- Saturday: 59% of total delay minutes attributed to staffing issues.
- Friday: 64.8% of total delay minutes attributed to staffing issues.
- Before Shutdown (Jan-Sep 2025): Only 5% of delays were due to staffing.
Impact on Major Airports
On Monday evening, FlightAware.com reported over 2,885 flights within, to, and out of U.S. airports were delayed, with 70 cancellations. Major hubs accounted for a significant portion of these disruptions.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport collectively experienced over 900 delays and 35 cancellations on Monday. While the direct cause for Monday's incidents is not yet fully clear, the ongoing staffing crisis is a strong contributing factor.
Air Traffic Controller Shortage
Secretary Duffy highlighted a critical shortage of air traffic controllers, estimating the system is short by 2,000 to 3,000 personnel. Efforts are underway to recruit more controllers, but the current shutdown exacerbates the existing deficit.
Safety Concerns and Government Response
Travelers have voiced concerns about the safety of air travel given the reduced staffing in control towers. Secretary Duffy addressed these concerns, stating that delays and cancellations are actually a measure to maintain safety.
"You'll see more delays, you'll see more cancellations of flights, and that’s because we slow traffic down because we don’t have enough controllers in the towers and TRACONs to make sure we can navigate the flights," he explained, referring to terminal radar approach control facilities. He emphasized that these measures are a tool to keep the system safe.
According to Duffy, if air travel were truly unsafe, the Department of Transportation (DOT) would "shut the whole airspace down." He assured the public that the system is not at that point, but significant delays are unavoidable under current conditions.
Political Blame and Traveler Frustration
The White House issued a statement on Monday, attributing the mass delays and the government shutdown to Democrats. The statement asserted that "Americans are paying the price for Democrats’ sick political games as air travel grinds to a halt amid the Democrat-driven chaos."
Regardless of the political blame, travelers continue to face uncertainty. Many have been left stranded, resorting to sleeping on airport chairs, as seen at Orlando International Airport. The unpredictable flight schedules have caused widespread frustration and disrupted travel plans for millions.
