US air traffic controllers’ shortage cause flights delay
(MENAFN) Over 9,000 flights across the United States were delayed or canceled on Monday and Tuesday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, officials said, a situation linked to the ongoing partial government shutdown.
The shutdown, which began on October 1 after Democrats and Republicans failed to reach an agreement on a spending bill, has left most federal employees furloughed. Air traffic controllers, however, are classified as essential personnel and must continue working without pay during the shutdown, though they are guaranteed back pay.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted an uptick in controllers calling in sick since the shutdown began, contributing to the disruptions.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), representing 20,000 controllers, stated that it is coordinating with the FAA to minimize the impact on the National Airspace System. “It is normal for a few air traffic controllers to call in sick on any given day, and this is the latest example of how fragile our aviation system is in the midst of a national shortage of these critical safety professionals,” the union said in a statement on Monday.
NATCA added that “the controller staffing shortage leaves the system vulnerable, and today’s events underscore the urgent need to accelerate training and hiring.” The union emphasized that a government shutdown further strains an already overextended workforce, recalling that during the 2019 shutdown, many controllers had to take second jobs to cover expenses, leading to stress and fatigue.
Officials also warned that the shutdown could affect the Essential Air Service, a program that subsidizes flights to smaller airports, noting that its funding may run out if the shutdown persists.
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