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Air Travel Chaos Grips US as Air Traffic Controller Absences Soar Amid Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Airports across the United States are facing widespread delays and cancellations as absences among air traffic controllers surge, exacerbating the impact of the ongoing government shutdown. For over a month, these essential workers, numbering nearly 13,000, have been working without pay, leading to immense stress and fatigue, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Over the past weekend, more than 16,700 flights were delayed and 2,282 cancelled. The disruptions continued into Monday, with FlightAware reporting over 4,000 delays and 600 cancellations at major airports including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, and Newark. The FAA confirmed that half of its “Core 30” facilities at major US airports are experiencing staffing shortages, with New York-area airports reporting absence rates as high as 80%.

“The shutdown must end so that these controllers receive the pay they’ve earned and travellers can avoid further disruptions and delays,” the FAA stated on X. The agency is reducing the flow of air traffic to maintain safety standards, resulting in the delays and cancellations.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that safety is paramount, stating, “We work overtime to make sure the system is safe. And we will slow traffic down, you’ll see delays, we’ll have flights cancelled to make sure the system is safe.” Duffy also acknowledged that some controllers are taking absences to work second jobs but affirmed they would not be fired.

The government shutdown, entering its 35th day, has left at least 670,000 federal employees furloughed and approximately 730,000, including air traffic controllers, working without pay. The situation is raising concerns about the long-term impact on the national airspace system and the well-being of essential federal workers.

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