🔗 Share this article

Travelers throughout America are preparing for growing disruptions as workforce gaps at airports further deteriorate during the ongoing government closure, now reaching its seventh day.

Escalating Worries Over Air Travel Network

Union representatives for air traffic controllers and TSA agents have cautioned that the circumstances is likely to deteriorate, with staffing challenges documented at several major airports including locations such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The risk of broader effects to the American air travel network continues to increase by the day," stated aviation expert Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed serious worry that should the closure persist, it could potentially disrupt countless American holiday travel arrangements in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Issues

Staffing shortages, featuring an increased rate of employees calling in sick, impacted key facilities around Denver, Los Angeles and New York on Monday, resulting in delays for over 6,000 flights across the country.

• The Burbank facility's flight control was temporarily closed and operations were handled by a different location
• Nashville airport reported delays of approximately two hours due to workforce challenges
• O'Hare Airport in Chicago showed average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• Dallas-Fort Worth experienced postponements recorded 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 flight network.

The union stated that air traffic controllers take their responsibility to protect public safety extremely earnestly and participating in any work stoppage could result in removal from federal service.

Official Viewpoint

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the national flight control network is being harmed from the ongoing government shutdown.

"They aren't only thinking about the airspace," he remarked regarding air traffic controllers who are working without pay. "They're thinking about, 'Am I going to get a paycheck'?"

The official observed that many operators live paycheck to paycheck and are unable to manage prolonged durations without payment.

Wider Consequences

Based on emergency preparations, approximately 25% of the workforce, or over eleven thousand FAA employees, were furloughed when the closure started last week.

Nevertheless, 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty, with hiring and training also ongoing.

Labor leader Nick Daniels indicated that the shutdown has emphasized existing challenges encountered by flight controllers, including staff shortages and outdated equipment.

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

Despite the widespread delays, aviation analytics indicated that approximately 92% of departures from American airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not issued a "workforce threshold" that would reduce the flight volume in and out of airports, suggesting that activities were continuing despite the difficulties.