🔗 Share this article

Travelers throughout America are preparing for increasing disruptions as airport staffing shortages further deteriorate during the current government closure, now entering its seventh day.

Escalating Worries Over Aviation System

Labor leaders for flight controllers and TSA agents have cautioned that the circumstances is likely to deteriorate, with staffing challenges documented at several key airports including locations such as Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

"The potential of broader effects to the US aviation system is growing by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed grave concern that should the closure persist, it could possibly interfere with countless American Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Travel Disruptions and Operational Issues

Staffing shortages, including an elevated number of workers taking sick leave, affected major airports around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, resulting in postponements affecting more than 6,000 flights nationwide.

• Burbank airport's air traffic control was briefly shut down and operations were handled by another facility
• Nashville airport experienced delays of approximately two hours due to workforce challenges
• Chicago's O'Hare showed average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• Dallas-Fort Worth experienced postponements recorded at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Union Position

The primary air traffic controllers union stressed that it does not support any organized actions that could negatively affect the National Airspace System.

The union clarified that air traffic controllers take their responsibility to protect public safety very seriously and engaging in any work stoppage could result in termination of employment.

Government Perspective

The Transportation Department head the transportation official alerted that the country's air traffic control system 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 thinking about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

He noted that many controllers depend on regular income and are unable to manage extended periods without payment.

Wider Consequences

Based on emergency preparations, roughly 25% of the workforce, or over eleven thousand FAA employees, were temporarily laid off when the shutdown began last week.

Nevertheless, thirteen thousand flight controllers remain on duty, with hiring and training continuing as well.

Labor leader Nick Daniels indicated that the closure has emphasized existing challenges faced by flight controllers, including workforce gaps and outdated equipment.

He explained that the circumstances is especially serious at smaller airports where reduced personnel creates further difficulties.

Despite the extensive postponements, flight data indicated that approximately ninety-two percent of departures from American airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not activated a "workforce threshold" that would decrease the flight volume in and out of airports, indicating that activities were proceeding despite the challenges.