Key Takeaways
- Staffing shortages at major US airports caused 2,756 delays and 222 cancellations on Sunday
- 80% of air traffic controllers were absent from New York-area facilities
- Transportation Secretary warns situation will worsen if government shutdown continues
- Newark Airport experiencing 3.5+ hour delays with arrivals limited to 20 planes per hour
Widespread flight disruptions hit US airports on Sunday as air traffic controller shortages worsened during the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 33rd day. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that safety concerns require reducing flight volumes, with nearly 80% of controllers absent from New York facilities.
Nationwide Travel Chaos
By Sunday afternoon, FlightAware reported 2,756 delays and 222 cancellations across US airspace. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport imposed ground stops for incoming Dallas-Fort Worth flights due to staffing gaps. The crisis extended to high-altitude centers managing airspace between cities, with Jacksonville’s facility declaring a “staffing trigger” that forced rerouting for Atlanta, Orlando, and Miami flights.
Newark Airport Hit Hardest
Newark Liberty International Airport faced the most severe disruptions, with arrivals limited to just 20 planes per hour. Average delays exceeded three and a half hours, with the FAA confirming traffic management programs would continue into Monday morning.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned travelers on social media: “Expect significant delays. We HAVE to reduce flight volumes to MAINTAIN SAFETY.” He attributed the shutdown to Democratic lawmakers, stating normal operations would resume only after a deal is reached.
More Delays Expected
Duffy delivered a stark warning on ABC’s This Week: “If the government doesn’t open in the next week or two, we’ll look back as these were the good days, not the bad days.” The situation had already worsened from Friday’s 6,000 delays and nearly 500 cancellations.
