Air Traffic Controller Shortages Lead to Delays at Major U.S. Airports
Travelers experienced significant delays at major airports in New York, Los Angeles, and Denver, primarily due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. This situation highlights one of the numerous ways the ongoing government shutdown could impact commercial aviation operations.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
Flights across the nation are facing delays again as the shortage of air traffic controllers continues to affect operations. Federal regulators have pointed to this staffing issue as the cause of ground delays at key airports in New York, Los Angeles, and Denver. Joel Rose, NPR’s transportation correspondent, provides insights into the current situation.
JOEL ROSE, BYLINE: Hello, Mary Louise.
KELLY: Joel, can you explain what happened last night?
ROSE: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a lack of staffing led to delays at airports in Denver, Newark, New Jersey, and Burbank, California. Notably, Hollywood Burbank Airport experienced a situation where no air traffic controllers were on duty for several hours, requiring controllers from another FAA facility in Southern California to assume communication responsibilities, resulting in over two-hour delays.
Currently, there are staffing shortages at 12 FAA facilities, with eight still facing issues, including towers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and in Nashville. This shortage is also affecting facilities around major hubs like Newark and Houston, potentially leading to widespread delays.
KELLY: Is this entirely due to the government shutdown?
ROSE: While the government shutdown exacerbates the issue, there was already a national shortage of air traffic controllers. The FAA and the controllers’ union have indicated that staffing falls short by several thousand controllers. Although nearly 11,000 certified controllers are working during the shutdown, they remain unpaid until it concludes. The previous shutdown in 2018-2019 saw a spike in sick calls from controllers, contributing to severe delays, which may have influenced the shutdown’s resolution. This year, a slight increase in sick calls is noted, but even small numbers can severely impact operations.
KELLY: Is it still safe to fly?
ROSE: The FAA and the Department of Transportation maintain that safety is their top priority. If necessary, they will reduce the number of takeoffs to manage air traffic safely, which could lead to delays. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy assured at a recent press conference in Newark that the airspace remains safe, stating, “If we think there’s issues in the airspace, we will shut it down. We will close it down. We will delay.”
KELLY: What about the effects on rural airports?
ROSE: The Essential Air Service Program, which supports flights to rural airports, may run out of funding if the shutdown continues. It serves around 170 smaller communities, including over 60 in Alaska. Although the Trump administration proposed a $300 million cut to the program, which has bipartisan support in Congress, major carriers like Alaska Airlines plan to maintain flights even without the subsidy. Smaller regional airlines might also continue operations for the time being.
KELLY: Thank you, Joel.
ROSE: You’re welcome.
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