🔗 Share this article American Airport Disruption Deepens as Staffing Shortages Intensify During Federal Closure Travelers across the United States are bracing for increasing delays as workforce gaps at airports further deteriorate during the current government closure, now entering its seventh consecutive day. Escalating Worries Over Aviation System Labor leaders for flight controllers and TSA agents have cautioned that the circumstances is expected to worsen, with workforce issues documented at several major airports including locations such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia. "The risk of broader effects to the US aviation system is growing by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt. He expressed serious worry that should the closure persist, it could potentially disrupt millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November. Flight Delays and Operational Issues Workforce gaps, including an elevated number of employees calling in sick, affected key facilities around Denver, Los Angeles and New York on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights across the country. The Burbank facility's flight control was temporarily closed and operations were handled by a different location The Nashville facility experienced delays of approximately two hours due to staffing issues Chicago's O'Hare showed average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour Dallas-Fort Worth had postponements recorded at half an hour Industry Response and Union Position The primary air traffic controllers union emphasized that it does not endorse any organized actions that could adversely impact the National Airspace System. The organization clarified that air traffic controllers value their duty to ensure passenger security extremely earnestly and participating in any work stoppage could result in removal from federal service. Official Viewpoint Transportation Secretary the transportation official alerted that the national flight control network is suffering damage from the ongoing government shutdown. "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'?" The official noted that many controllers live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford prolonged durations without compensation. Broader Implications According to emergency preparations, approximately 25% of the workforce, or more than 11,000 aviation administration workers, were furloughed when the shutdown began last week. However, 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty, with recruitment and instruction also ongoing. Union president Nick Daniels indicated that the closure has emphasized existing challenges faced by flight controllers, including workforce gaps and outdated equipment. He explained that the circumstances is particularly grave at smaller airports where reduced personnel creates additional challenges. Regardless of the extensive postponements, aviation analytics indicated that roughly ninety-two percent of departures from American airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon. The aviation regulator had not issued a "staffing trigger" that would reduce the number of flights in and out of airports, indicating that activities were proceeding despite the difficulties.