🔗 Share this article

Travelers across the United States are preparing for increasing disruptions as workforce gaps at airports further deteriorate during the current government closure, now reaching its seventh day.

Growing Concerns Over Air Travel Network

Labor leaders for flight controllers and security screeners have warned that the circumstances is likely to deteriorate, with staffing challenges reported at multiple key airports including locations such as Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

"The risk of wider impacts to the American air travel network continues to increase by the day," stated aviation expert Henry Harteveldt.

He voiced serious worry that should the closure persist, it could potentially disrupt millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Travel Disruptions and Operational Challenges

Workforce gaps, including an elevated number of workers taking sick leave, impacted key facilities around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, causing postponements affecting more than 6,000 flights nationwide.

• The Burbank facility's flight control was briefly shut down and responsibilities were managed by a different location
• The Nashville facility experienced postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• O'Hare Airport in Chicago showed average delays of 41 minutes
• The DFW airport experienced postponements recorded at half an hour

Sector Reaction and Union Position

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association emphasized that it does not support any organized actions that could negatively affect the National Airspace System.

The organization stated that flight controllers value their duty to ensure passenger security very seriously and participating in any work stoppage could lead to termination of employment.

Government Perspective

Transportation Secretary the transportation official alerted that the country's air traffic control system is being harmed from the continuing federal closure.

"They aren't only thinking about the flight paths," he remarked regarding air traffic controllers who are working without pay. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

He observed that many controllers depend on regular income and cannot afford prolonged durations without payment.

Broader Implications

According to contingency planning, approximately 25% of the workforce, or more than 11,000 FAA employees, were temporarily laid off when the closure started last week.

Nevertheless, 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty, with recruitment and instruction continuing as well.

Union president Nick Daniels pointed out that the closure has emphasized existing challenges encountered by flight controllers, including workforce gaps and outdated equipment.

He explained that the circumstances is especially serious at smaller airports where reduced personnel creates further difficulties.

Despite the extensive postponements, aviation analytics indicated that approximately ninety-two percent of flights departing from US airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration had not issued a "staffing trigger" that would decrease the number of flights in and out of airports, suggesting that operations were continuing despite the difficulties.