CNBC and other media outlets are reporting that a shortage of air traffic controllers has triggered flight delays at New York La Guardia Airport. Philadelphia was first mentioned in reports but has since been listed as having normal conditions.
A ground delay was reported at La Guardia and an hour delay was posted for the nation’s busiest aviation hub Atlanta.
Delays of 15 minutes or less were reported in general aviation flights at New Castle Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Should the delays persist, air traffic nationwide would be affected. There have been scattered reports of delays at TSA checkpoints, with Baltimore-Washington International shutting down one line over the weekend. BWI officials said the shutdown did not delay screenings.
.@FAANews reporting departure delays of 1 hour, 14 minutes at PHL. Be sure to check flight status with your airline before coming to the airport. https://t.co/7JabJ3suPL
— PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) January 25, 2019
Callouts have been increasing at the nation’s airports as aircraft controllers and TSA agents go without pay, due to the federal government shutdown that is now in its second month.
States have rushed to the aid of the affected employees, with Delaware announcing a loan program for an estimated 500 federal employees who have gone without paychecks. That roster includes members of the Coast Guard.
The situation has led the union representing aircraft controllers to warn of future mass cancellations of flights.
#Aviation unions warn government #shutdown will likely cause mass flight cancelations soon: The system will "crumble" https://t.co/nZiBrtdjzb
— Air Traffic Control Association: ATCA (@ATCA_now) January 22, 2019
