Air travel faced significant disruption as the government shutdown entered its 27th day, resulting in more than 2,700 flight delays on Monday alone.
Flight Delays Surge Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
On Sunday, over 8,600 flights were delayed across the nation. Flight disruptions were largely attributed to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, which have intensified due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Contributing Factors to Flight Delays
- Staffing Shortages: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that absences among air traffic controllers were significantly higher than normal, causing delays across the Southeast and at Newark Airport in New Jersey.
- Ground Delays: The FAA imposed a ground delay at Los Angeles International Airport, resulting in an average delay of 25 minutes for many flights.
As of Monday afternoon, delays were reported at several major airlines:
- Southwest Airlines: 15% of flights delayed.
- American Airlines: 12% of flights delayed.
- Delta Air Lines: 9% of flights delayed.
Impact on Airlines
Southwest Airlines faced the highest impact on Sunday, with 2,000 flights—approximately 45% of its total—delayed. American Airlines also experienced substantial delays, with nearly 1,200 flights or around one-third of its operations affected. United Airlines had 24% of its flights delayed, while Delta reported 17% delays.
Government Shutdown Effects
The shutdown has left about 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay. The Trump administration cautioned that flight disruptions may worsen as these employees miss their first full paycheck.
A Department of Transportation official revealed that 44% of Sunday’s flight delays were related to controller absences, a drastic increase from the typical rate of 5%. With approximately 3,500 air traffic controller positions unfilled, many staff members have been compelled to work mandatory overtime, sometimes extending to six days a week.
Public Response and Future Implications
The escalating number of flight delays and cancellations is fueling frustration among the traveling public. It is increasing scrutiny regarding how the government shutdown affects air travel. Lawmakers are under growing pressure to address and resolve the budget impasse to restore normalcy in operations.
In previous shutdowns, such as the notable 35-day break in 2019, similar staffing issues caused extended wait times at security checkpoints and slower air traffic control. Authorities had to implement air traffic management measures in major cities like New York and Washington, D.C., highlighting the severe impact of these government shutdowns on travel.
