Flight delays are spreading as the government shutdown prolongs, and air traffic controllers stop showing up for work

"If you have been waiting hours at the airport for your delayed flight on Tuesday, you're not alone. Flight delays spread across the US on Tuesday evening as the air traffic controller shortage deepened. Many air traffic controllers are going without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown and will likely miss their first paycheck next Tuesday. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration showed significant staffing-related delays at major airports, including Nashville International and Dallas-Fort Worth."

"It is now the second day that staffing shortages have rippled through the system. On Monday, the delays were still relatively contained at the Hollywood Burbank Airport in Los Angeles County, but the issue is expected to worsen as the government shutdown continues. A similar pattern emerged during the 35-day government shutdown in 2019, as air traffic controllers forced to work without pay called in sick."

Flight delays expanded across the US Tuesday evening as an air traffic controller staffing shortage worsened. Many controllers are working without pay because of the government shutdown and will likely miss their next paycheck. Federal Aviation Administration data showed staffing-related delays at major hubs including Nashville International and Dallas-Fort Worth; by 5:30 p.m. ET arrivals in Nashville were averaging 126-minute delays. A similar pattern occurred during the 2019, 35-day shutdown when unpaid controllers called in sick. The FAA said it cannot respond to routine media inquiries due to a lapse in funding and directed users to fly.faa.gov.

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