In brief
With the government shutdown extending its reach, U.S. airports are seeing an increase in flight delays, particularly affecting Newark and other major airports like Houston, Dallas, and Chicago. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns that air traffic controller shortages are to blame, leading to longer waits and canceled flights. Travelers are advised to check their flight statuses and prepare for possible disruptions.
Flight delays persisted throughout U.S. airports on Sunday, amid ongoing air traffic controller shortages caused by the month-long government shutdown. Newark Airport in New Jersey, in particular, has been severely impacted, with delays stretching from two to three hours, and these disruptions have a cascading effect on other airports in the region, warned New York City's Emergency Management office on social media. Major hubs, including George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Dallas Fort Worth International, and Chicago O’Hare, are also experiencing multiple delays and cancellations.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has expressed concern that if air traffic controllers continue to go unpaid, travelers will face increasing flight disruptions. Duffy emphasized, 'We work overtime to make sure the system is safe. And we will slow traffic down... to ensure safety,' stating that he would not fire controllers who call in sick due to financial struggles during the shutdown. As nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers continue to work without pay, the FAA faces a unique challenge in managing air traffic amidst critical staffing shortages. While the agency is typically dealing with a pre-existing deficit of about 3,000 controllers, this situation has been exacerbated by the shutdown. Travelers are strongly encouraged to verify flight statuses before heading to the airport and should be prepared for potential extended waits and unexpected changes.
