Flights delayed across US amid air traffic controller shortages as shutdown drags on

US Airport Delays Worsen Amid Government Shutdown

Flight delays across the US have reached a boiling point as nearly half of the nation's busiest airports struggle with severe air traffic controller shortages. The crisis has deepened with the 31st day of the federal government shutdown, leaving thousands of workers unpaid and travelers facing prolonged disruptions.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at least 35 facilities, including major hubs like New York City, Austin, and Washington DC, are experiencing staffing problems. Delays have averaged over an hour, with some airports experiencing as much as 50% cancellation rates and flight times exceeding two hours.

The situation has been exacerbated by Halloween evening's reduced traffic, which allowed for a temporary reprieve but not enough to alleviate the pressure on air traffic controllers. As a result, more than 5,600 flights were delayed on Friday alone, with 500 cancellations reported.

The FAA warned that the shutdown must end to allow unpaid workers to receive pay and minimize further disruptions. Air traffic controller stress levels have reached "immense" proportions, according to the agency.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy forecasted more flight disruptions as the weekend approaches, citing concerns about ongoing staffing shortages. Airlines have urged Congress to quickly pass a stopgap funding bill to allow for the government's reopening, with some airlines warning of aviation safety risks due to prolonged shutdowns.

With the FAA operating 3,500 fewer air traffic controllers than its target level, many staff members were already working extended hours and six-day weeks before the shutdown. The current crisis has pushed these shortages to new heights, threatening widespread disruptions similar to those that occurred during a 35-day government shutdown in 2019.

Ugh, can't believe this is happening ! The US airport delays are getting out of hand and it's all because of the government shutdown . I feel so bad for the air traffic controllers who have been working non-stop without pay . It's not just about them though, it's also about the travelers who are getting stuck in airports waiting for their flights . And to make matters worse, the situation is only going to get more dire as we head into the weekend .

I'm hoping that Congress can come together and pass a stopgap funding bill ASAP so that these workers can get paid and air traffic controllers can get back to work. We need our airports to be running smoothly again, not just for travelers but also for the economy . This shutdown is having a ripple effect on everything from flights to business meetings . Fingers crossed that things will start looking up soon !

This is getting ridiculous! Flight delays are already bad enough as it is, but now they're going crazy with air traffic controller shortages at major airports . I'm not sure what's more concerning, the fact that thousands of workers are getting paid without working or the impact on travelers' schedules . I mean, how can you plan a trip when your flights keep getting delayed or canceled? And it's not just about the inconvenience - there's also the safety risk factor, as airlines are warning us . Come on, Congress, get it together and pass that stopgap funding bill already! We need this to end ASAP so we can get back to normal airport operations ️.

I'm getting so frustrated with all this airport drama ! It's crazy to think that nearly half of the busiest airports are struggling with air traffic controller shortages. I mean, come on, can't Congress get their act together and pass a funding bill already? The thought of thousands of workers going unpaid is just heartbreaking, especially during the holiday season when people need to travel.

And let's not forget about the impact on travelers - delayed flights, cancellations, and all that stress . I'm starting to think that the FAA needs to come up with a contingency plan ASAP, or else we'll be seeing even more disruptions like we did back in 2019 . It's time for Congress to put aside their differences and work together to find a solution. Our air traffic controllers deserve better, and so do we

Ugh, airport delays are getting so crazy ! Like, I know government shutdowns can be frustrating but come on, how many times do we have to go through this? And now the airlines are like "please reopen already" . It's not like they're exactly thrilled about having to cancel flights left and right either . And what's with the staffing shortages? Can't the FAA just hire more air traffic controllers or something? I mean, it seems super easy on paper but apparently it's way harder in real life . Anyway, hope they can figure out a solution soon before people lose their minds .

OMG, this is getting crazy!!! I mean, can't believe we're seeing this happen again . Delays over an hour? That's just ridiculous! And with Halloween traffic being so low, it was like the universe was trying to give them a break... but nope, they still managed to mess it up . Airlines are already sounding the alarm about aviation safety risks... what if this keeps going on? We could have real issues here . I'm all for Congress doing something ASAP, we need our airports back to normal ASAP .

omg what's goin on with US airports rn?? flight delays are gettin outta control like crazy! i mean, who knew the gov shutdown could cause so much chaos? air traffic controllers are stressin out left and right & thousands of workers are gettin paid nothing meanwhile. this is a major safety risk for airlines & travelers alike gotta hope congress can come together soon & pass that stopgap funding bill ASAP would hate to see us go into winter with these delays still goin on

I'm getting super frustrated with this whole government shutdown thing ! Air travel in the US is already a nightmare, but now it's like they're playing a cruel joke on us . I mean, who thought it was a good idea to leave thousands of air traffic controllers without pay? It's not just about them, though – it's about all the travelers who are getting stuck in limbo because flights keep getting delayed or cancelled .

I know Congress is supposed to be working together to pass some kind of funding bill, but so far, nothing's happened . Meanwhile, we're stuck dealing with the consequences, and it's just not fair . I'm all for accountability and fixing our budget issues, but can't they do it without messing with air travel?

Ugh, airport delays are getting ridiculously long ! I had plans to travel over the weekend and now it looks like I'll be stuck waiting for hours at the airport. This is all because of the government shutdown, right? It's not fair to the workers who are already working non-stop just to keep flights running.

I'm so tired of these delays, it's like they're never-ending ! And what really gets me is that there are thousands of people affected by this situation. I feel bad for all the travelers who have to deal with this stress and frustration. Can't Congress just work together to find a solution already? It's not like we don't know what's going on anymore.

The FAA needs more air traffic controllers ASAP ! This is a safety issue, plain and simple. Airlines are warning about aviation safety risks, which is terrifying . We need this shutdown to end soon so that workers can get paid and flights can run smoothly again. Let's hope Congress gets their act together and passes a stopgap funding bill ASAP

Airport delays are like my aunt's drama – they just never end Air traffic controller stress is REAL though [GIF: a cartoon character with a headache] When will the gov just sort this out?! [GIF: a person throwing hands up in the air]

omg this is insane! like, i get it, gov't shutdowns are no joke, but ppl need their paychecks too and now we're facing flight delays galore?! i mean, i've experienced some crazy flight delays myself, but 50% cancellation rates? that's just crazy talk 5,600 flights delayed on one day alone? like, what even is the point of having a gov't if it can't get its act together and airlines are worried about aviation safety risks? that's all too real for me, having to deal with long lines at airports just to check in

anywayz... i guess this is a wake-up call for everyone involved - congress needs to step up their game and get the gov't back open ASAP we can't keep living like this, with ppl struggling to make ends meet while the rest of us are stuck on planes for hours

Ugh, can you believe this?! Air travel is already stressful enough, and now it's like they're putting a giant X through the whole system because of this government shutdown... I mean, come on, people! Get your act together! 500 cancellations on one day alone? That's crazy talk! And it's not just the passengers who are affected – think about all those air traffic controllers who can't get paid during this time. It's like they're playing with fire over here... I'm glad someone like Sean Duffy is speaking up, but seriously, Congress needs to act ASAP or we'll be seeing more of these delays and cancellations... At least 5,600 flights delayed on Friday? That's a whole lot of people stuck in airports! ️ And what about the stress those air traffic controllers are under? Immense proportions?! Yeah, I can imagine...

omg can u imagine being stuck at airport for 2+ hrs lol i got stuck at la last year for like 3 hrs and it was so frustrating airports gotta do better than this... think about all those ppl who have actual appointments or jobs waiting for them... idk how they're coping with the shutdown also airlines r getting hammered cuz of this... hope congress gets its act together ASAP

I'm getting so frustrated with this whole airport situation ! I mean, come on, it's been like 31 days and people are still unpaid? That's just not cool. And the flights delays are getting worse by the day... it's like, hello, we need these airports to function properly so we can travel safely and without too much stress . The FAA is basically saying we need to shut down this shutdown ASAP or else we'll have even more problems on our hands . And don't even get me started on the air traffic controllers - they're already working crazy hours and now it's like, what's next? Burnout mode activated . I just hope Congress gets their act together and passes that stopgap funding bill soon so we can all fly without too much drama .

Ugh I know I'm super late but this airport thingy is getting crazy what's going on with the gov't? Can't they just sort out their stuff already? Like, I get that people need to pay, but all these flight delays and cancellations are affecting so many lives. Have you tried booking a flight recently? Forget about it! It's like, how hard is it to get enough people working there?! 500 cancellations on one Friday alone... I was supposed to fly out last weekend but had to cancel due to delays . Hope they figure it out soon, stress levels are through the roof over here

omg u gotta feel for air traffic controllers rn they're literally running on empty! all this gov shutdown is causing so much stress i mean can u imagine bein responsible for thousands of flights & dealin with this kind of pressure? it's insane! i think airlines & the gov should just work out a stopgap funding thingy ASAP so these poor ppl get paid & we can all fly without too much drama

This is just another example of how politics affects everyday life . Can't we prioritize paying our workers and ensuring our airports run smoothly over partisan bickering? It's not like this is the first time we've seen delays because of a government shutdown, but does anyone ever take responsibility for it?

And let's be real, when will airlines start sharing some of the costs with taxpayers instead of just expecting Congress to foot the bill? We need a long-term solution that doesn't involve throwing money at the problem without addressing the root cause. That being said, I do think we should be worried about aviation safety risks if this situation continues...

airport delays are just the tip of the iceberg - I mean, who needs functional air traffic control when you've got a functioning government shutdown? it's not like these folks have anything better to do than work extended hours and six-day weeks... oh wait, they don't because Congress is too busy playing politics . and now we're facing the lovely possibility of 50% cancellation rates at major hubs - just peachy . can't wait to see how this whole thing plays out - I'm sure it'll be a real page-turner (not).

man this is getting crazy airports are literally at breaking point 500+ cancellations on friday alone is insane 5k+ flights delayed on friday too and with the weekend coming up i can already imagine more delays and chaos what's going on with these government shutdowns anyway? it feels like they're just making things worse for us travelers

Ugh, can you even imagine having to wait over an hour just to get on a flight? It's getting so frustrating for all the travelers out there. I feel bad for the air traffic controllers too, they're working themselves into a panic with the immense stress levels . I wonder how it'll affect tourism and business travel in the US. Shouldn't Congress be able to pass a stopgap funding bill by now? It's not like this is the first time we've seen flights getting delayed due to government shutdowns, but still... 500 cancellations on just one Friday is crazy! Does anyone know what's going on behind the scenes that's causing these staffing shortages?