Major Airports Experiencing Huge Delays
Nearly 7,000 flights throughout the United States were delayed on Monday as the government shutdown entered its 27th day. Air traffic controllers are reporting sick or not reporting to work much more frequently than normal. The Federal Aviation Administration explained that they cannot staff all the flights adequately to ensure safety, so they were forced to slow down at a number of major airports.
Newark Airport in New Jersey, Austin Airport in Texas, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport all instituted ground delay programs on Monday. Flights in the southeast earlier during the day got delayed due to a lack of adequate workers at the Atlanta Terminal Radar Approach Control. Sunday was worse, with over 8,800 flights delayed nationwide.
Workers Haven’t Been Paid in Almost a Month
Some 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 airport security agents are being required to work without pay. This occurred after President Donald Trump and Congressional Democrats were unable to reach a budget accord, closing portions of the federal government. Tuesday was the first full paycheck missed by these employees, and government officials cautioned flight issues will continue to worsen after that.
The numbers indicate just how bad things have become. Southwest Airlines had 47% of its flights delayed on Sunday – that is 2,089 flights. American Airlines ran behind 1,277 flights, which was 36% of their schedule. United Airlines had 27% delays and Delta had 21% of flights delayed. Monday the issues persisted, although the percentages fell slightly as airlines canceled flights in an effort to avoid delays.
Staffing Crisis Gets Worse Each Day
A Transportation Department official explained that 44% of the Sunday delays were a direct result of air traffic controllers not reporting to work. Under normal circumstances, only a little over 5% of delays result from staffing issues. That is a big increase and indicates how the shutdown is impacting the aviation system. Controllers are calling in sick or simply not reporting to work because they’re not receiving paychecks.
The situation was already tough prior to the shutdown beginning. The FAA is short around 3,500 air traffic controllers from what they truly require. Numerous controllers were already working mandatory six-day weeks and overtime just to keep airports operating. Now with the shutdown requiring them to report to work without pay, more and more are choosing to remain at home. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy traveled to Cleveland on Monday to speak with controllers, and the controllers’ union is holding events at airports Tuesday to call attention to the lost paychecks. Something similar occurred in 2019 during a 35-day shutdown when absences increased and officials had to reduce air traffic in New York and Washington.
News At Glance
- Almost 7,000 U.S. flights delayed Monday as government shutdown reaches day 27
- Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security agents who are working without pay
- Controller shortages rose to 44% of delays Sunday, doubling the typical 5%
- Workers miss first full paycheck on Tuesday, with further disruptions in store
- FAA already short 3,500 controllers prior to shutdown, many working forced overtime
FAQs
Q: Why are so many flights getting delayed right now?
A: Airport security personnel and air traffic controllers have not received pay in close to a month due to the government shutdown. Some are not reporting to work or calling in sick, so there aren’t enough of them to safely manage all the flights.
Q: How many people working at airports are impacted by the shutdown?
A: Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents are being compelled to report to work without receiving paychecks. They’re deemed essential personnel, so they can’t resign or leave work during the shutdown.
Q: Which airlines experienced the most delays?
A: Southwest Airlines performed the worst on Sunday with 47% of its flights delayed. American Airlines came in second with 36%, United with 27%, and Delta with 21%. Monday also had problems though lower percentages.
Q: When will employees receive their first missed paycheck?
A: Tuesday is the first full paycheck that the workers are going to miss. Officials warned that disruptions in flights are going to worsen after the workers find out they are not paid.
Q: Has this occurred before?
A: Yes, in 2019 there was a 35-day government shutdown that created a similar crisis. Absences of air traffic controllers and security officers increased as employees missed paychecks, prompting authorities to reduce air traffic in New York and Washington airports.
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