Delays of Over 2.5 Hours Hit Airports Due to Government Shutdown

If you’re traveling soon, you’ll want to learn how the government shutdown is affecting flights before heading to the airport.

The shutdown is affecting control towers and creating delays across airports, and we’re sharing all the details here.

According to CNN, the Burbank airport shut down around 4:15 PM on Monday, October 6th. The flights could take off, following procedures typically used only at small airports without control towers, which created delays of more than two and a half hours. It was closed for multiple hours due to the lack of controllers.

Other control towers had “staffing triggers,” and facilities handling air traffic control in airports were short-staffed. Air traffic controllers are considered essential workers who must work during the shutdown but are not getting paid. This includes over 13,000 controllers.

At the Denver International and Newark Liberty International airports, there were ground delays because flights couldn’t take off until controllers could handle them. Both of those airports are major hubs for United Airlines. During a news conference in Newark, the number of controllers calling out sick has increased since the start of the shutdown.

Other control towers, like at Nashville International Airport, had limited staffing, forcing some of the air traffic control to be taken over by Memphis, Tennessee, according to ABC News. This also led to an average delay of more than two hours. Dallas and Chicago also had delays ranging from 30 to 40 minutes.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a news conference had concerns about those controlling the airspace during the shutdown. He said, “So now what they think about as they’re controlling our airspace, is ‘How am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment?’ Do I think they’re more stressed right now in our towers? Yes. Is our airspace unsafe? No.”

He went on to say, “If we have additional sick calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that’s safe for the American people.” He also said, “If someone has to take sick leave to drive Uber to make the difference, those are decisions they’re going to have to make themselves. I don’t want them finding a second job to pay them, a job to pay the bills. I want them to get paid for the work they’re doing today, keeping our planes in the air.”

If you’re traveling, make sure you’re prepared for long waits. Arrive early and be aware of possible delays and cancellations. It’s also good to make sure your hotel is aware that you might be late to check in.

We’re bringing you all the details you need to know about travel here at AllEars, so make sure you keep following for more.

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