A shortage in air traffic controllers is causing an increase in flight delays and cancellations, as the United States government shutdown enters a second week.
Around 10,000 flights were delayed on Monday and Tuesday, but disruptions dropped to just over 2,500 on Wednesday.
While there have also been weather issues that have contributed to the delays, the FAA has prompted Burbank, California, Nashville and others to halt or slow arrivals due to the staffing shortages.
“As Secretary Duffy said, there have been increased staffing shortages across the system,” the FAA statement said.
“When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that there has been a “slight uptick” in sick calls of air traffic controllers.
He also said the shutdown has exacerbated concerns about the strain on air traffic controllers.
“Nearly 11,000 fully certified controllers remain on the job, many working 10-hour shifts as many as six days a week, showing extraordinary dedication to safely guiding millions of passengers to their destinations—all without getting paid during this shutdown,” the air traffic controllers’ union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), said in a statement.
NATCA president Nick Daniels also advocated for the end of the government shutdown.
“We need to bring this shutdown to a close so that the Federal Aviation Administration and the committed aviation safety professionals can put this distraction aside and focus completely on their vital work,” he said.
“This work includes fulfilling Secretary Duffy’s goals of accelerating the hiring of air traffic controllers and modernising our air traffic control system.”
During the shutdown, many “essential” government workers, like air traffic controllers and TSA, continue to work without pay, while many other workers are placed on furlough.
