Staff shortages from government shutdown cause delays at US airports
U.S. airports have faced widespread delays due to a shortage of air traffic controllers working without pay during the federal government shutdown.
On Sunday morning, a ground stop was issued at Newark Airport, a major hub serving New York. The Federal Aviation Administration said average delays in Newark were more than three hours and could last into Monday.
Half of the 30 major airports in the US are short-staffed and Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said flights in national airspace would be canceled “to make sure people are safe”.
Nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay as the government shutdown enters its second month.
Air traffic controllers, like other essential federal employees, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, are required to work without pay during the shutdown.
The aviation authority called on lawmakers to end the closure so workers can “get the wages they’ve earned and passengers can avoid further disruption and delays.”
The FAA said the shortages meant it had to reduce air traffic flow “to maintain safety.”
“This may result in delays or cancellations,” he added.
Nearly 4,500 flights within the U.S. were delayed and more than 500 were canceled on Saturday, according to FlightAware. In New York, the largest US city, about 80% of air traffic controllers were absent heading into the weekend, according to the FAA.
Transport Minister Duffy told the ABC on Sunday the aviation authority would take every step necessary to make sure passengers were safe.
“But there is a level of risk added to the system when we have a controller doing two jobs instead of one,” he said.
He added that air traffic controllers are under great stress and are working without pay.
“They don’t make a lot of money, so they might be the only ones bringing money into the house,” he said.
“They have to make a decision; should I go to work and not collect a paycheck and put food on the table? Or should I go Uber or DoorDash or wait a table?”
Lawmakers are deadlocked after a Republican-led bill to fund the government has failed to pass the Senate more than a dozen times.
Democrats are exploring ways to expand tax credits that would make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans in exchange for reopening the government.
They are also calling for a reversal of U.S. President Donald Trump’s cuts to Medicaid, a government health program used by millions of elderly, disabled and low-income people.
