🔗 Share this article

Passengers throughout America are bracing for increasing disruptions as airport staffing shortages continue to worsen during the current government closure, now entering its seventh day.

Escalating Worries Over Aviation System

Union representatives for air traffic controllers and security screeners have warned that the situation is expected to worsen, with workforce issues documented at several major airports including facilities in Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

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

He voiced grave concern that should the closure persist, it could potentially disrupt countless American Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Travel Disruptions and Operational Challenges

Staffing shortages, including an elevated number of workers taking sick leave, affected major airports around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights across the country.

• Burbank airport's air traffic control was briefly shut down and responsibilities were managed by a different location
• Nashville airport experienced postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• Chicago's O'Hare showed average delays of 41 minutes
• The DFW airport had postponements recorded at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Union Position

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association emphasized that it does not support any coordinated activities that could negatively affect the National Airspace System.

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

Official Viewpoint

The Transportation Department head Sean Duffy warned that the national flight control network is suffering damage from the ongoing government shutdown.

"They're not just thinking about the airspace," he remarked regarding air traffic controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a paycheck'?"

He observed that many operators depend on regular income and cannot afford extended periods without payment.

Wider Consequences

According to contingency planning, approximately a quarter of the workforce, or more than 11,000 aviation administration workers, were furloughed when the closure started last week.

However, 13,000 air traffic controllers continue working, with recruitment and instruction also ongoing.

Labor leader Nick Daniels pointed out that the shutdown has emphasized existing challenges encountered by flight controllers, including staff shortages and aging technology.

He explained that the circumstances is particularly grave at regional facilities where limited staffing creates additional challenges.

Despite the widespread delays, aviation analytics showed that roughly ninety-two percent of departures from American airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not issued a "workforce threshold" that would decrease the number of flights in and out of airports, suggesting that operations were proceeding despite the difficulties.