The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributes this to a surge in air traffic controller absences, exacerbated by the ongoing US government shutdown, which has left controllers under immense stress and fatigue

By Asaye Bankole

US airports are currently experiencing significant delays and cancellations, with over 16,700 flights delayed and 2,282 cancelled between Friday and Sunday.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributes this to a surge in air traffic controller absences, exacerbated by the ongoing US government shutdown, which has left controllers under immense stress and fatigue.

The shutdown, now in its 35th day, has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers to work without pay, leading to widespread disruptions.

Flight delays and cancellations are still plaguing major US airports, with over 4,000 delays and 600 cancellations reported on Monday evening.

Affected airports include Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, and Newark. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributes these disruptions to staffing shortages, with half of its “Core 30” facilities at major airports impacted.

The situation is particularly dire in New York, where absenteeism among air traffic controllers has reached 80% .

In the US, approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers, deemed “essential workers,” have been working without pay since the government shutdown started on October 1.

However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports a significant increase in absences, prompting them to reduce air traffic flow to ensure safety standards are met.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that air travel disruptions will continue until the government shutdown ends, allowing air traffic controllers to receive their pay.

“The shutdown must end so that these controllers receive the pay they’ve earned and travellers can avoid further disruptions and delays,” the FAA said on X on Friday.

With staffing shortages, the FAA will reduce air traffic flow to maintain safety, potentially leading to delays or cancellations. US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy echoed this concern, stating that delays will persist to ensure airline safety.

“We work overtime to make sure the system is safe. And we will slow traffic down, you’ll see delays, we’ll have flights cancelled to make sure the system is safe,” Duffy told CBS News’s Face the Nation programme on Sunday.

Duffy also addressed the situation of air traffic controllers working second jobs due to unpaid leave, saying, “When they’re making decisions to feed their families, I’m not going to fire air traffic controllers.”

The government shutdown is set to become the longest in US history, entering its 35th day on Tuesday, with significant impacts on air travel, food assistance, and the economy.

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