Air traffic control shortages worsen US flight delays, FAA says

A shortage of air traffic controllers could delay more flights, the Federal Aviation Administration warned Wednesday, as concerns grow about the effects of the government shutdown on U.S. aviation.

About 10,000 flights were delayed Monday and Tuesday, although disruptions fell to just over 2,500 on Wednesday. Delays can be caused by weather or other reasons other than staffing issues. But a shortage of already tight air traffic control staffing this week prompted the FAA to slow or halt arrivals in Burbank, Calif., and Nashville, Tenn., among others.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Monday that the FAA is seeing a “slight increase” in illness calls from air traffic controllers.

He also said the closure exacerbates concerns about pressure on air traffic controllers, the shortage of which has irritated airline executives for years.

“Nearly 11,000 fully certified controllers remain on the job, many working 10-hour shifts up to six days a week, showing extraordinary dedication to safely guiding millions of passengers to their destinations, all without being paid during this shutdown,” the air traffic controllers’ union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said in a statement.

Earlier Wednesday, the FAA warned that there could be a personnel trigger at Newark Liberty International Airport, but that warning was lifted by the afternoon. Newark was not experiencing an influx of flight delays.

The government shutdown extended into its eighth day Wednesday as the Senate once again failed to pass a funding proposal.

Duffy said Tuesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that no airport has constant problems with air traffic controller staffing and urged Congress to pass a funding bill.

“The conversations and fights that are happening are about issues that should come to fruition at the end of the year,” he said. “Open up the government, take months to have a conversation and negotiate, but let’s not use that as leverage with hard-working Americans to keep our skies safe for political purposes.”

During a shutdown, “essential” workers such as air traffic controllers and TSA agents continue to work without pay, while many other employees are furloughed.

A more than month-long shutdown that began in late 2018 ended early the next year, hours after a shortage of air traffic controllers hampered air travel in New York.