Chicago O’Hare and Newark Airport, two of America’s largest aviation hubs, are grappling with air traffic controller shortages as the government shutdown stretches into its second week.
The Federal Aviation Administration revealed that numerous airports nationwide were battling serious staffing crises, including Hollywood Burbank Airport in California, Newark, Phoenix, Nashville and Denver airports.
Consequently, over 6,000 American flights faced delays on Monday, flight-tracking website FlightAware reported. The news emerges as British families on holidays of a lifetime issued urgent US shutdown warning.
Meanwhile, Nashville’s air traffic approach control will shut down for five hours tonight owing to personnel shortages.
The federal administration confirmed it would carefully track demand levels and modify arrival and departure schedules to maintain safety standards, reports the Express US.
This approach could potentially trigger additional flight delays, The New York Times reported.
Of the thousands of postponed flights, 42% of departures from Chicago experienced hold-ups.
Nevertheless, it’s probable that the shutdown isn’t connected to every individual incident, as weather conditions also impacted journey times in the city on Monday.
Likewise, ground delays struck Nashville on Tuesday until 11:59 p.m. because of staffing shortages, the FAA declared.
Monday represented the initial day air traffic controllers laboured without wages due to the shutdown.
As of Tuesday morning, the FAA hadn’t implemented a “staffing trigger” that would cut the volume of flights entering and leaving airports lacking adequate personnel.
Amidst the shortages, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union representing the country’s air traffic controllers, issued a statement telling members that the organisation does not “endorse, support, or condone” employees from participating in coordinated activities that could affect flight safety or cause delays.
“Participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service,” the union said. “It is not only illegal, but it also undermines NATCA’s credibility and severely weakens our ability to effectively advocate for you and your families.”
Air traffic controllers are deemed essential workers.
Consequently, they’re expected to continue working without pay throughout the shutdown, and later receive back pay once the conflict in Washington ends.
“It is normal for a few air traffic controllers to call in sick on any given day, and this is the latest example of how fragile our aviation system is in the midst of a national shortage of these critical safety professionals,” NATCA said in its statement. “NATCA has consistently warned that the controller staffing shortage leaves the system vulnerable, and today’s events underscores the urgent need to accelerate training and hiring.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday from Newark International Airport that there had been a slight increase in sick calls since the government shutdown began last week.
He added that the Washington stalemate is likely burdening an already-overworked industry. “Now what they think about as they’re controlling our airspace is, ‘How am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment? I have a couple kids at home, how do I put food on the table?” Duffy said.
“I’m working six days a week, so I have to take a second job and drive Uber when I’m already exhausted from doing a job that’s already stressful, to think about how I can make extra money because the government may not provide me a paycheck?”
Worries over travel schedules and safety were amongst the primary reasons why President Trump quickly ended the previous government shutdown in 2019 after 35 days.
Politicians from both parties are presently pointing fingers at each other regarding the shutdown, which began on Oct. 1 following disputes over healthcare subsidies that blocked the Senate from approving a funding bill.
Whilst there are no indications the shutdown will conclude soon, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. , allegedly informed Senators on Tuesday they must resolve the crisis by Oct. 13 to guarantee federal workers receive payment on Oct. 15, marking the first paycheque many could potentially lose.