Air travelers faced major disruptions Thursday as airport ground stops rippled through three of the nation’s busiest hubs, a direct consequence of air traffic controller shortages amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) was the first to delay flights, averaging 30-minute setbacks due to staffing issues. Newark Liberty International (EWR) and New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) soon followed, issuing full ground stops that temporarily halted all departures.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that the probability of extending those restrictions was “medium,” or between 30% and 60%. Earlier this month, the FAA confirmed it was grappling with nationwide air traffic disruptions as control centers in Chicago, Nashville, Houston, and Las Vegas faced critical understaffing.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News’ Will Cain that under normal conditions, only about 5% of delays are caused by staffing issues. Now, he said, that number has surged to 53%. “My message to the air traffic controllers who work for DOT is show up for work,” Duffy said. “You have a job to do … those who have shown up, I’m grateful for them and their service.”
Despite the frustration, Duffy emphasized that “safety comes first,” noting that the Department of Transportation will slow or stop traffic if conditions aren’t safe.
With the shutdown stretching past three weeks, the cascading impact on aviation underscores how federal gridlock continues to ground not only flights—but the patience of American travelers.
