More than 8,000 flights were delayed across the United States on Sunday, as a critical shortage of air traffic controllers (ATCs) stemming from the 26-day federal government shutdown continues to disrupt national travel.
According to the flight-tracking website FlightAware, over 8,000 U.S. flight delays were recorded by 11 p.m. ET on Sunday, a sharp increase from 5,300 delays on Saturday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the system is under strain, warning that more delays and cancellations are likely. Duffy told Fox News that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) experienced staffing shortages at 22 air traffic control locations on Saturday, calling it “one of the highest [figures] that we’ve seen” since the shutdown began on October 1.
The FAA issued ground delay programs on Sunday at Chicago’s O’Hare, Washington’s Reagan National, and Newark Liberty airports specifically because of these staffing shortages.
The disruption has hit all major carriers:
- Southwest Airlines: 45% (2,000 flights) delayed
- American Airlines: 33% (1,200 flights) delayed
- United Airlines: 24% (739 flights) delayed
- Delta Air Lines: 17% (610 flights) delayed
The crisis is being driven by the 13,000 ATCs and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who are required to work without pay during the shutdown.
The Trump administration has warned that flight disruptions will increase as controllers are set to miss their first full paycheck on Tuesday. While they received a partial paycheck two weeks ago, Tuesday’s payday would have been for the first period worked entirely during the shutdown.
”That’s a sign that the controllers are wearing thin,” Duffy said, adding that many are now looking for second jobs to cope.
This shutdown is compounding a pre-existing fragility in the system. Even before the shutdown, the FAA was already 3,500 air traffic controllers short of its targeted staffing levels, forcing many to work mandatory overtime and six-day workweeks.
The mounting travel chaos is intensifying pressure on lawmakers in Washington to resolve the budget impasse as the shutdown’s effects now directly impact millions of American travelers and the broader economy.
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