U. S.

Many major U. S. airports have reported widespread delays on Monday as the federal government shutdown has put a strain on the already short-staffed air-traffic system. This has prompted concerns from industry and labor leaders about the potential impact on the peak travel season.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that air-traffic control towers have been dealing with increased absenteeism since the shutdown began on October 1st, resulting in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) having to slow down operations at times to ensure safety. While approximately 13,000 controllers have been deemed essential and are still working, there is no guarantee that they will be paid on time. Additionally, around 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are required to continue working, with their next paycheck scheduled for October 14th.

Duffy has been receiving reports of varying levels of absenteeism across the country, as air traffic controllers from the FAA are facing staff shortages. He also stated that the department is closely monitoring the situation, as staff shortages are being reported in different areas on different days.

As of late Monday, over 5,500 flights nationwide were reported to be delayed according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. The FAA cited staffing impacts at several major airports, including Newark, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, and Hollywood Burbank near Los Angeles. Weather conditions have also contributed to the delays. At Denver International Airport, around 32% of arrivals were delayed, while Newark saw 22% delayed and Burbank had roughly 15% of flights running late, according to FlightAware.

These mounting staffing strains could reverse the progress that the FAA has been trying to make after years of staff shortages. Many controllers have been working mandatory overtime and six-day workweeks, but the agency is still approximately 3,500 controllers short of its target staffing levels. The FAA has been working on hiring more controllers through its academy in Oklahoma City and training centers across the country, but these efforts rely on support personnel who are at risk of being laid off during the shutdown.

Secretary Duffy expressed concern for these employees, stating that he does not want them to have to find alternative sources of income, such as driving for Uber or taking on a second job, to make ends meet. He urged congressional leaders to end the shutdown, and also voiced his criticisms on social media.

Labor leaders also joined in the call to end the shutdown, with Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, stating that there is no time to waste. He emphasized the need to accelerate the hiring of controllers and modernize the air-traffic control system, both of which have been long overdue and require immediate attention.

Airlines have also warned of potential repercussions if the shutdown continues.