US airports plunged into chaos as record-long government shutdown continues

(CLO) A series of major airports across the United States are falling into chaos as thousands of flights are delayed and canceled due to a shortage of air traffic control personnel.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said many employees were overworked and “under tremendous stress and fatigue” after more than a month without pay as the US government remained in a record-breaking shutdown.

According to data from FlightAware, more than 16,700 flights were delayed and 2,282 were canceled nationwide from October 31 to November 2. As of Tuesday evening, the situation had not eased, with more than 4,000 flights delayed and 600 canceled, mainly at major airports such as Chicago O'Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver and Newark.

The FAA said that half of the 30 largest air traffic control facilities in the country (Core 30) are severely understaffed, especially in the New York area, where absenteeism is as high as 80%. Nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers across the US are considered “essential workers,” meaning they have been working without pay since the government shutdown began on October 1.

John F. Kennedy International Airport, the largest airport in New York. Photo: CC/Wiki

“We are forced to reduce air traffic to maintain safety standards,” the FAA said on X (formerly Twitter). “The shutdown must end immediately so controllers can receive their fair wages and passengers can avoid further disruptions and cancellations.”

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed on CBS News' Face the Nation that flight restrictions are necessary to ensure safety.

“We have to slow down traffic, accept delays or cancel trips if necessary,” he said, adding that many controllers are taking on other jobs to support their families, and “they will not be laid off.”

As of November 4, the US has entered the 35th day of the government shutdown, equaling the 2018-2019 record, the longest period in the country's history.

At least 670,000 federal employees have been temporarily furloughed, while 730,000 others are still working without pay, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) in Washington, DC.

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