Flight Disruptions Rise at US Airports as Air Traffic Controller Staffing Issues Intensify
WASHINGTON – Travelers are facing increasing flight delays and cancellations at U.S. airports as a pre-existing shortage of air traffic controllers is compounded by the ongoing impact of the recent government shutdown and financial strain on FAA personnel.While July saw approximately 69% of flights on time and 2.5% canceled, disruptions are becoming more frequent as controllers work without pay.
The issues extend beyond the shutdown’s direct impact. The Federal Aviation Administration was already grappling with a shortage of roughly 3,000 air traffic controllers before the recent political impasse. This existing vulnerability is now exacerbated by controllers facing financial hardship, leading to potential staffing gaps.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned of escalating disruptions, stating, “We work overtime to make sure the system is safe. And we will slow traffic down, you’ll see delays, we’ll have flights canceled to make sure the system is safe,” during a recent appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
Duffy also indicated he will not pursue firing controllers who are unable to work without a paycheck, saying, “Again when they’re making decisions to feed their families, I’m not going to fire air traffic controllers. They need support, they need money, they need a paycheck. They don’t need to be fired.” This stance represents a shift from earlier statements in October, where Duffy cautioned that controllers calling out sick rather of working without pay risked termination.
The FAA reported Friday that nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay for weeks. While staffing shortages can occur in both regional control centers and airport towers, October flight data from aviation analytics firm Cirium showed generally strong on-time performance at major U.S. airports, despite isolated staffing problems.
The situation highlights the critical need to address the long-term staffing challenges within the FAA and the potential for important travel disruptions when controllers are placed under financial pressure.
