Summary
Airports in the United States are facing significant delays and cancellations because many air traffic controllers are absent from work. The delays are a result of a prolonged government shutdown, which has left nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers working without pay for weeks. The shutdown is now one of the longest in U.S. history.
Key Facts
- The shutdown is affecting U.S. airports with major delays and flight cancellations.
- Over the weekend, more than 16,700 flights were delayed, and 2,282 flights were cancelled.
- Major airports like Chicago O’Hare and Dallas Fort Worth are particularly impacted.
- Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since October 1 due to the shutdown.
- Staffing shortages are causing the FAA to slow down air traffic to ensure safety.
- The government shutdown has lasted 35 days, tying it with the 2018-2019 shutdown as the longest in U.S. history.
- Approximately 670,000 federal employees have been furloughed, and 730,000 are working without pay.
