8,000 flights delayed across US amid air traffic controller shortage
By Blessing Kalu
More than 8,000 flights were delayed across the United States on Sunday as a worsening shortage of air traffic controllers compounded travel disruptions caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 26th day.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had reported staffing shortages at 22 control locations on Saturday, warning that the crisis could deepen unless Congress resolves the budget deadlock. According to FlightAware, there were over 8,000 flight delays by 11 p.m. ET on Sunday (5 a.m. WAT Monday), up from about 5,300 the previous day. Delays have consistently remained above average since the shutdown began on 1 October.
The shutdown has forced around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers to continue working without pay. Observers say the growing travel chaos could increase political pressure on lawmakers to end the impasse. “Controllers are wearing thin,” Duffy told Fox News, noting that the 22 shortage “triggers” recorded on Saturday were among the highest since the shutdown began.
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Ground delay programmes were issued on Sunday at major hubs, including Chicago O’Hare, Washington Reagan National, and Newark Liberty International Airport. A temporary ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport was later lifted. Airlines were heavily affected: Southwest Airlines reported delays on 45% of its flights (about 2,000), American Airlines on nearly a third (1,200), United Airlines on 24% (739), and Delta Air Lines on 17% (610).
The FAA, which is already 3,500 controllers short of target staffing, has been relying on overtime and six-day workweeks to keep operations running. The Trump administration has warned that disruptions will worsen as unpaid federal employees miss their first full October paycheque this week, with many reportedly seeking second jobs to cope with the financial strain.
