US Airport Delays Mount as Government Shutdown Enters Second Week, Union Leaders Warn of Worsening Crisis
US Airport Delays Mount as Government Shutdown Enters Second Week, Union Leaders Warn of Worsening Crisis
Widespread disruptions are intensifying at US airports as the federal government shutdown, now in its second week, continues to strain staffing levels for air traffic controllers and security screeners. Union leaders are sounding the alarm, warning that the situation is rapidly deteriorating and could severely impact upcoming holiday travel.
Reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicate significant staffing issues at major hubs including Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia, alongside critical air traffic control centers in Atlanta and Houston. This has led to slowed takeoffs at multiple airports, with the risk to the entire US aviation system growing daily, according to travel industry analysts.
Concerns are particularly high for the Thanksgiving holiday period, with experts fearing millions of Americans’ travel plans could be disrupted or ruined if the shutdown persists. Union representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees convened to press lawmakers for a bipartisan resolution, highlighting the immense pressure on federal workers who are currently working without pay.
Past incidents this week saw over 6,000 flights delayed due to staffing shortages and an elevated number of sick calls. While the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has cautioned against any coordinated job actions, the union stresses that the shutdown exacerbates existing challenges like understaffing and outdated equipment, particularly at smaller airports.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has acknowledged the severe strain on the air traffic control system, blaming Democrats for the impasse and emphasizing the financial anxiety faced by unpaid controllers. The shutdown has furloughed a quarter of the FAA’s workforce, though 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty, grappling with the uncertainty of their next paycheck.
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