FAA Acknowledges That Shortage of Air Traffic Controllers Worsens U.S. Flight Delays
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported on Sunday night that staffing issues in air traffic control are causing significant delays at airports in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Newark, as the U.S. government shutdown reached its 19th day.
According to the agency, multiple staffing alerts were issued for the evening shift, which could also cause delays in Las Vegas and Phoenix due to absent air traffic controllers.
Massive Impact on Flights and Airlines
According to data from FlightAware, over 5,800 flights were delayed on Sunday. Adverse weather conditions and the impact of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin, which increased air traffic in the region, compounded the difficulties caused by staff shortages.
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines were among the most affected, with over 20% of their flights delayed during the day.
Essential Personnel Not Receiving Pay
The FAA indicated that approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are required to work during the shutdown without receiving their salaries.
→ FAA Extends Flight Reductions at Newark Airport Until October 2026
Earlier this month, more than 23,000 flights were delayed in one week, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported that 53% of the delays were due to staffing issues, compared to the usual 5%. However, he noted that the situation had partially improved in recent days.
A Political Conflict with Aerial Repercussions
Air traffic control has become a central topic in the political debate over the government shutdown, with accusations exchanged between the parties. Both unions and airlines have urged a swift resolution to the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has circulated videos at some airport security checkpoints blaming the Democrats for the situation, although many airports have refused to play them.
Background and Current Status of Air Staff
During the 2019 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, the number of absences among air traffic controllers and TSA agents increased as workers stopped receiving their pay. That situation lengthened security checkpoint wait times and forced a reduction in air traffic in New York and Washington, which ultimately pressured Congress to end the stalemate.
Currently, the FAA faces a shortage of approximately 3,500 air traffic controllers compared to its target staffing levels. Many employees were already working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the government shutdown, which exacerbates the impact on air operations.
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