Thousands of travelers stranded as U.S. air traffic control shortages cause widespread flight delays amid prolonged government shutdown.
Air travel chaos worsened across the United States on Sunday as more than 8,000 flights were delayed nationwide amid severe air traffic controller shortages linked to the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 26th day.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) experienced staffing issues at 22 air traffic control centers on Saturday, warning that more flight disruptions were expected in the coming days.
“That’s a sign that the controllers are wearing thin,” Duffy said during an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures program.
Shutdown Hits US Air Travel Hard
According to flight-tracking platform FlightAware, by 11 p.m. ET (0500 WAT) on Sunday, over 8,000 flights had been delayed, a sharp increase from 5,300 delays recorded the previous day.
The prolonged shutdown, which began on October 1, has pushed delays consistently above average across major airports, straining airline operations and frustrating passengers.
Airlines Worst Hit
- Southwest Airlines: 45% of flights (2,000) delayed
- American Airlines: Nearly 1,200 flights (one-third of its schedule) delayed
- United Airlines: 24% of flights (739) delayed
- Delta Air Lines: 17% of flights (610) delayed
The FAA said ground delay programs were issued at several major airports including Chicago O’Hare, Washington Reagan National, and Newark Liberty International, due to staffing gaps. A temporary ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport was later lifted.
Controllers Work Without Pay
Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are still working without pay due to the funding impasse.
The Trump administration has warned that disruptions will likely worsen as controllers miss their first full paycheck this week.
“They’re taking second jobs; they’re out there looking,” Secretary Duffy revealed, noting that many workers are struggling to stay afloat.
The FAA is currently 3,500 controllers short of its target staffing level, forcing many to work six-day weeks and mandatory overtime even before the shutdown began.
Pressure Mounts on Lawmakers
Analysts say mounting travel disruptions could increase political pressure on Congress to resolve the budget deadlock that caused the shutdown.
A U.S. judge has also upheld a block on President Donald Trump’s federal employee buyout plan, deepening tensions between the White House and federal unions.
Observers warn that if the standoff continues, America’s aviation system could face its worst operational crisis in years, with growing risks to safety, efficiency, and public trust.
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