Travel disruptions are set to escalate across the United States, beginning Wednesday evening, as staffing shortages linked to the ongoing government shutdown impact air traffic control. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a total of 17 major airports are expected to experience substantial flight delays, some lasting as long as seven hours, starting at 17:00 ET and potentially extending into early Thursday morning.
The airports affected include major hubs such as Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Other impacted locations include Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Miami International Airport (MIA), and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), among others.
To mitigate the effects of reduced staffing, the FAA will implement a significant airspace flow program. This system manages traffic and spaces out flights when air traffic capacity is limited, affecting all flights within much of the US airspace, from the ground up to 60,000 feet. With this measure in place, both incoming and outgoing flights will face delays.
Travelers are urged to check with their airlines prior to arriving at the airport, as average wait times are projected to reach approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. Newark Airport, in particular, has been grappling with staffing shortages throughout the day, resulting in average wait times of 68 minutes. Flights destined for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are also experiencing significant delays, averaging around three hours and 15 minutes, likely tied to the broader staffing issues.
Wednesday marks the 36th day of the government shutdown, which has become the longest in US history. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents have been working without pay, compounding the challenges faced by the aviation sector. Prior to the shutdown, the FAA was already contending with a chronic shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned on Tuesday that if the shutdown persists for another week, it could lead to “mass chaos” in air travel and may necessitate the closure of portions of the national airspace. Duffy stated, “You will see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace, because we just cannot manage it.”
With ongoing standoffs in Congress over health care spending, both parties face increasing pressure to resolve the crisis that has severely affected public services. As delays continue to mount, travelers are advised to remain informed about their flight status and prepare for extended wait times in the coming hours.
As this situation develops, more updates will be provided to inform the public of any changes in travel conditions.
