🔗 Share this article

Passengers throughout America are preparing for growing delays as airport staffing shortages continue to worsen during the ongoing government closure, now entering its seventh consecutive day.

Escalating Worries Over Air Travel Network

Labor leaders for flight controllers and security screeners have cautioned that the situation is likely to deteriorate, with staffing challenges documented at multiple key airports including facilities in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The risk of wider impacts to the US aviation system is growing by the day," stated aviation expert Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed grave concern that should the closure persist, it could possibly interfere with millions of Americans' holiday travel arrangements in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Issues

Staffing shortages, including an elevated number of employees calling in sick, impacted major airports around Denver, Los Angeles and New York on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights nationwide.

• Burbank airport's air traffic control was briefly shut down and operations were handled by a different location
• Nashville airport experienced postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• O'Hare Airport in Chicago recorded typical postponements of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• Dallas-Fort Worth experienced postponements recorded at half an hour

Sector Reaction and Labor Stance

The primary air traffic controllers union stressed that it does not support any coordinated activities that could negatively affect the national flight network.

The union clarified that air traffic controllers value their duty to protect public safety very seriously and engaging in any job action could result in removal from federal service.

Government Perspective

Transportation Secretary the transportation official warned that the national flight control network is suffering damage from the continuing federal closure.

"They're not just thinking about the airspace," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are working without pay. "They're thinking about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

The official noted that many operators live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford prolonged durations without payment.

Broader Implications

Based on contingency planning, roughly a quarter of the workforce, or over eleven thousand aviation administration workers, were furloughed when the closure started last week.

Nevertheless, thirteen thousand flight controllers remain on duty, with recruitment and instruction also ongoing.

Union president Nick Daniels pointed out that the shutdown has emphasized preexisting issues encountered by flight controllers, including workforce gaps and aging technology.

He clarified that the circumstances is particularly grave at smaller airports where reduced personnel creates additional challenges.

Regardless of the extensive postponements, aviation analytics indicated that roughly ninety-two percent of flights departing from US airports took off on time as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration had not issued a "workforce threshold" that would decrease the flight volume in and out of airports, suggesting that activities were continuing despite the challenges.