United States, Oct 28 : More than 4,000 flights across the United States were delayed on Monday, with an additional 118 cancellations, as the ongoing government shutdown continues to cripple air travel operations.
The 27-day shutdown has led to growing staff shortages at airports and air traffic control towers across the country. According to FlightAware, over 8,700 flights were delayed on Sunday alone, underscoring the mounting strain on the aviation system.
Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are currently working without pay, resulting in reduced efficiency and widespread operational delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that staffing gaps are affecting flight schedules across the Southeast and at major hubs like Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. In Los Angeles, the FAA imposed a ground delay at LAX, holding flights on the tarmac for an average of 25 minutes.
Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the growing pressure on aviation personnel.
“I’ve been out talking to air traffic controllers, and you can see the stress. These are people who live paycheck to paycheck they’re worried about gas, childcare, and basic expenses,” Duffy said in an interview with Fox News.
The Transportation Department has warned that while flights remain operational, travellers should expect continued disruptions, longer wait times, and potential cancellations as the shutdown drags on.
Airlines are urging passengers to check flight updates regularly and arrive early for security screening amid reduced staffing levels. Experts caution that even after the shutdown ends, clearing the backlog of delayed flights could take several days due to the cumulative operational strain.
With no clear resolution in sight, major airport hubs across the US are bracing for continued travel disruptions, making this one of the most significant aviation slowdowns in recent years.