Air Traffic Controller Shortages Cause Delays at Major US Airports
Major airports in the United States, such as Chicago O’Hare and Newark Airport, are facing air traffic controller shortages as the government shutdown continues into its second week. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that numerous airports across the country are experiencing serious staffing crises, including Hollywood Burbank Airport in California, Phoenix, Nashville, and Denver airports.
As a result, FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, reported that over 6,000 American flights were delayed on Monday. This news comes as British families who are currently on vacation in the US have been warned about the potential impact of the shutdown on their travels.
In Nashville, the air traffic approach control will be shut down for five hours tonight due to personnel shortages. The FAA has stated that they will closely monitor demand levels and adjust arrival and departure schedules to ensure safety standards are maintained. However, this may result in additional flight delays, according to The New York Times.
Of the thousands of delayed flights, 42% of departures from Chicago experienced hold-ups. However, it is possible that the shutdown was not the sole cause of every delay, as weather conditions also played a role in travel times on Monday.
Similarly, Nashville experienced ground delays on Tuesday until 11:59 p. m. due to staffing shortages, according to the FAA.
Monday marked the first day that air traffic controllers worked without receiving wages due to the government shutdown. As of Tuesday morning, the FAA had not implemented a “staffing trigger” that would limit the number of flights at airports with insufficient personnel.
In the midst of these shortages, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the union representing air traffic controllers in the country, released a statement advising members not to participate in any coordinated activities that could affect flight safety or cause delays. The union stated that participating in such actions could result in termination from federal service and could harm their ability to advocate for their members.
Air traffic controllers are considered essential workers and are expected to continue working without pay during the shutdown. They will receive back pay once the government conflict in Washington is resolved. The NATCA has consistently warned about the vulnerability of the aviation system due to the shortage of air traffic controllers and has urged for faster training and hiring processes.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on Monday from Newark International Airport that there has been a slight increase in sick calls since the start of the government shutdown last week. He also mentioned that the stalemate in Washington is adding to the already overwhelming workload of the industry. Many air traffic controllers are worried about their financial situations, with some having to take on second jobs, such as driving for Uber, to make ends meet.
Similar concerns over travel schedules and safety were the main reasons why the previous government shutdown ended quickly in 2019 after 35 days.