US government shutdown causes major flight delays at airports

The ongoing US federal government shutdown, now in its second month, is causing severe disruptions to the national aviation system. With approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration employees required to work without pay, staffing shortages are forcing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to deliberately slow air traffic to maintain safety margins, resulting in widespread flight delays and cancellations.

Major Airport Hubs Experience Severe Disruptions

The impact was starkly visible over the weekend, particularly at major transportation hubs. Newark Liberty International Airport, a critical gateway for the New York City area, experienced a complete ground stop on Sunday morning. The FAA reported average delays exceeding three hours at the airport, warning travelers that the disruptions could persist. Data from FlightAware indicated that on Saturday alone, nearly 4,500 domestic flights were delayed and over 500 were canceled nationwide.

FAA Cites Unprecedented Stress on Workforce

In a public statement, the FAA directly linked the operational challenges to the financial strain on its workforce, noting that controllers are enduring "immense stress and fatigue" after 31 days without pay. The agency stated that the shutdown must end so that employees can receive their earned wages and travelers can avoid further disruptions. The situation in New York was described as particularly acute, with a significant portion of the air traffic control staff absent.

Political Impasse in Washington Continues

The root cause of the crisis remains a political stalemate in Washington. Lawmakers have failed to reach an agreement on government funding, with a Republican-led spending bill facing repeated rejection in the Senate. Democrats are pushing for policy concessions, including extensions for health insurance tax credits and a reversal of recent Medicaid cuts, as a condition for supporting a bill to reopen the government, leaving the aviation system in a state of uncertainty.