[UPDATE Oct. 31] Nearly 50 percent of the 30 busiest U.S. airports faced shortages of air traffic controllers, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday Oct. 31, leading to flight delays nationwide as a federal government shutdown hit its 31st day.
The absence of controllers on Friday is by far the most widespread since the shutdown began, with one of the worst-hit regions being New York, where 80 percent of air traffic controllers were out, the agency said.
Air traffic controller staffing shortages related to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown are resulting in increased airport delays, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issuing ground delays at multiple airports.
On Oct. 30, FAA-mandated restrictions at Orlando International Airport resulted in flights being delayed by an average of 2.7 hours; other airports affected by FAA-imposed delays due to staffing issues included Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, NBC News reported.
Efforts to Reopen the Government
The same day, the nation’s four largest airlines, United, Delta, American and Southwest, called on Congress to pass a so-called “clean” continuing budget resolution that would temporarily reopen the government.
“The quickest way to end this shutdown and get these workers paid is by passing a clean continuing resolution,” American Airlines said in a statement. “A prolonged shutdown will lead to more delays and cancellations—and the American people, especially during the busy holiday season, deserve better.”
The airlines echoed a position supported by Republicans but opposed by Democrats, who say it would result in the loss of healthcare subsidies for millions of Americans.
Staffing problems increased during the first week, in which air traffic controllers were denied their monthly paycheck due to the federal budget impasse. Controllers are designated as essential employees, meaning that they are required to continue working even if they are not getting paid.
“The controller workforce has been understaffed for more than a decade, resulting in mandatory overtime, including regular 10-hour days and six-day weeks,” said Nick Daniels, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union, in an Oct. 29 op-ed in The Hill calling for an end to the shutdown. “Air traffic controllers did not start the shutdown, and they are not responsible for ending it,” he said. “Our elected officials must act now to reopen the government and restore order.”
At an Oct. 30 White House event, Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the shutdown could lead to major delays in holiday travel if it continues, according to CNN.
“It could be a disaster … because at that point you’re talking about people who have missed three paychecks. They’ve missed four paychecks. How many of them are not going to show up for work?” said Vance. “That’s going to lead to massive delays. We want people to be able to get home for Thanksgiving. We want people to be able to travel for business.”
However, congressional Republicans and President Trump have refused to negotiate with Democrats to end the shutdown. This week, Trump called on the Senate to invoke the “nuclear option” and amend its rules to bypass a Democratic filibuster and allow the CR to pass on a simple majority vote.
The Republican controlled Senate recently took a similar step to approve a raft of Trump’s nominees over Democratic objections. However, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune has repeatedly said he would not do so to end the shutdown.
