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Air travel disruptions continued for a fifth consecutive day as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported widespread air traffic control staffing shortages amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. More than 6,400 flights were delayed and nearly 470 canceled on Friday, bringing total delays since Monday to over 22,000, according to FlightAware. With the three-day Columbus Day weekend underway, airlines are warning passengers to expect longer wait times and potential schedule changes.
The FAA confirmed it is facing critical staffing issues in major hubs including Chicago, New York, Newark, Dallas, San Diego, Washington, and Phoenix. In Atlanta, a temporary air traffic control tower evacuation due to a fire alarm and a natural gas odor added to the chaos. Airlines for America — representing major carriers like American, Delta, United, and Southwest — advised travelers to “pack their patience,” citing that staffing shortages are forcing flights to be spaced out for safety, slowing the entire system.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized that while staffing levels remain strained, safety remains the agency’s top priority. “Safety will never be compromised,” he told employees, noting that traffic flow will be reduced at affected airports to maintain safe operations. About 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay during the shutdown, with partial paychecks expected by October 14 for pre-shutdown hours worked.
The U.S. has struggled with air traffic controller shortages for over a decade, with many controllers working mandatory overtime even before the shutdown. The FAA is currently short around 3,500 controllers from its target levels. The situation echoes the 2019 shutdown, when increased absences from unpaid staff led to significant delays, particularly in New York, pressuring lawmakers to resolve the impasse. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that repeated absences during this shutdown could result in firings, as the FAA works to keep air travel safe but slowed by chronic staffing constraints.
