🔗 Share this article US Airport Disruption Deepens as Workforce Gaps Escalate During Government Shutdown Travelers across the United States are bracing for increasing disruptions as airport staffing shortages further deteriorate during the current government closure, now entering its seventh consecutive day. Escalating Worries Over Aviation System Union representatives for flight controllers and TSA agents have cautioned that the circumstances is expected to worsen, with workforce issues reported at several key airports including facilities in Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia. "The potential of wider impacts to the US aviation system is growing by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt. He expressed serious worry that should the closure persist, it could possibly interfere with millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November. Travel Disruptions and Operational Issues Staffing shortages, featuring an increased rate of workers taking sick leave, impacted key facilities around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, causing postponements affecting more than 6,000 flights across the country. Burbank airport's air traffic control was briefly shut down and operations were handled by a different location Nashville airport experienced delays of approximately two hours due to workforce challenges O'Hare Airport in Chicago recorded typical postponements of nearly three-quarters of an hour The DFW airport experienced delays logged at 30 minutes Industry Response and Labor Stance The primary air traffic controllers union stressed that it does not support any organized actions that could adversely impact the national flight network. The union stated that air traffic controllers take their responsibility to ensure passenger security extremely earnestly and participating in any work stoppage could lead to termination of employment. Official Viewpoint Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy alerted that the national flight control network is suffering damage from the continuing federal closure. "They aren't only thinking about the airspace," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're thinking about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?" He observed that many controllers live paycheck to paycheck and are unable to manage extended periods without payment. Wider Consequences Based on contingency planning, approximately a quarter of the workforce, or over eleven thousand aviation administration workers, were furloughed when the closure started last week. Nevertheless, thirteen thousand flight controllers continue working, with recruitment and instruction continuing as well. Union president Nick Daniels indicated that the closure has highlighted preexisting issues encountered by flight controllers, including workforce gaps and outdated equipment. He explained that the situation is especially serious at regional facilities where reduced personnel creates further difficulties. Despite the extensive postponements, flight data indicated that roughly 92% of departures from American airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration had not activated a "workforce threshold" that would decrease the number of flights in and out of airports, indicating that operations were continuing despite the difficulties.