Staff Shortages Tied to Shutdown Cause Widespread Flight Delays

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced delays at airports around the nation due to staffing issues connected to the government shutdown. Flights were affected in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Newark as the shutdown reached its 19th day, the FAA said late on Oct. 19. More than one in five American Airlines and Southwest Airlines flights were delayed, according to FlightAware. The tracking site reported that over 5,800 flights were delayed on Sunday, with weather and some sporting events also impacting flight times. More delays are expected in Las Vegas and Phoenix due to air traffic control absences, according to the FAA. Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are required to work with or without pay during the government shutdown....