A critical shortage of air traffic controllers amid the ongoing federal government shutdown has prompted multiple ground stop and delay orders today at major U.S. airports, putting the nation’s aviation system under intense strain. Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report that at least three airport facilities issued ground delays or holds linked directly to staffing shortages, while airlines and federal aviation officials warn that travel disruptions could escalate rapidly as the shutdown drags on.
In Nashville, the FAA imposed a ground‑delay program at Nashville International Airport beginning around 10 a.m., lasting into the evening, citing a lack of certified controllers. In Austin, the Austin‑Bergstrom International Airport saw more than 130 inbound flights delayed — averaging 50 minutes, with some waiting up to two hours — after a ground delay was imposed due to controller staffing shortfalls. Meanwhile, at Orlando International Airport a more stark warning was issued: the FAA declared it expected to have “no certified controllers” later in the day, effectively halting landings for a period of time.
Industry executives and labour union leaders say the shortages stem from unpaid federal workers — notably air traffic controllers and TSA officers — who have worked for weeks without pay thanks to the shutdown. One major carrier, Delta Air Lines, issued a statement urging Congress to pass a “clean continuing resolution” immediately to reopen the government and ensure essential aviation employees receive pay. At a White House round‑table, the CEOs of American Airlines and United Airlines joined senior government officials and union leaders to press the urgency of the situation.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the aviation system is nearing a tipping point: at some airports, up to 44 % of delays are now attributed to controller absences — a dramatic rise from a pre‑shutdown average of around 5 %. The controllers’ union likewise raised alarms about fatigue, mounting stress and working without pay, noting that “tension is at an all‑time high.”
For now, the FAA is forcing slower traffic flows and imposing ground delays at affected airports to maintain safety margins. But airline bosses warn that if the shutdown continues into the holiday travel season, the combination of staffing shortfalls and high demand could lead to far more widespread cancellations and disruptions.
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