America has a serious shortage of aviation personnel.

VTV.vn - The US government shutdown has left thousands of air traffic controllers working without pay, forcing many to take on second jobs, putting great pressure on aviation safety.

The US government shutdown has delayed thousands of flights in the country. Photo: Fox News

Hundreds of U.S. air traffic controllers have had to find second jobs after going without full pay during the government shutdown, a union official said, adding to the strain on an already overburdened aviation safety system.

Many air traffic controllers and trainees are taking on side jobs like waiting tables, delivering food for DoorDash, driving for Uber, buying groceries for Instacart and tutoring on weekends to make ends meet as the government shutdown enters its 28th day.

Speaking to reporters on October 28, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Nick Daniels said the number of controllers working second jobs is expected to increase as they look for ways to cover living expenses.

Some 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are working without pay due to the shutdown. After receiving partial pay two weeks ago, more and more air traffic controllers are calling in sick, causing thousands of flight delays and hundreds of cancellations each day.

There were 8,800 flight delays on October 26, and nearly 7,000 on October 27. According to FlightAware, the situation has not improved, with about 3,000 more flights delayed as of the afternoon of October 28 (local time). US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said on October 28 that the absence of air traffic controllers was the main cause. According to FlightAware, Southwest Airlines had 34% of its flights delayed on October 27, while American Airlines had 29%. United Airlines had 19% of its flights delayed and Delta Air Lines had 22%.

Even before the government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of its target staffing level, forcing many to take mandatory overtime and work six-day weeks.

Source: https://vtv.vn/my-thieu-hut-tram-trong-nhan-luc-hang-khong-100251030051444952.htm