Delays anticipated at airports for third day as authorities shutdown drags on

Flight delays are anticipated throughout the nation for a 3rd straight day on Wednesday because the Federal Aviation Administration braced for extra airport staffing shortages amid the continued authorities shutdown.

Within the final 48 hours, delays resulting from air site visitors controller staffing shortages had been reported at airports in Boston; Burbank, California; Chicago; Denver; Houston; Las Vegas; Nashville, Tennessee; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia; and Phoenix, in response to the FAA.

This week’s staffing shortages started on Monday, when air site visitors controllers began working with out pay because of the shutdown.

The federal company stated Wednesday morning that it expects staffing triggers at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of many three main airports within the New York City metropolitan space. The set off would scale back the variety of flights out and in of the airport to accommodate site visitors safely with lower-than-ideal staffing ranges.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated Monday at Newark Airport that there had been a slight uptick in air site visitors controllers calling out sick for the reason that authorities shutdown started final week.

“Our priorities are safety,” Duffy stated. “And so, if we have additional sick calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that’s safe for the American people.”

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association stated Tuesday in a press release that it doesn’t “endorse, support, or condone” federal staff from coordinating to have an effect on flight security or trigger delays.

“Participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service,” the union posted on its website. “It isn’t solely unlawful, nevertheless it additionally undermines NATCA’s credibility and severely weakens our skill to successfully advocate for you and your households.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told NBC News on Tuesday that a draft White House memo argues that furloughed federal workers are not entitled to back pay after the government shutdown lifts.

The staffing shortages have fueled a surge in the number of domestic and international flight delays in recent days, with more than 6,000 reported on Monday and over 3,000 on Tuesday, according to FlightAware, a flight tracker website. As of Wednesday morning, there were already more than 720 delays within, into or out of the United States, according to the site.

However, some of the delays might be due to poor weather conditions on the East Coast. The next round of rain for the East Coast is set to arrive this weekend.

On Tuesday evening, Nashville International Airport was experiencing delays averaging around two hours due to staffing issues, according to the FAA’s website.

The FAA added that extra broadly, it “may have restricted communications however will ship any important security messaging” because of the shutdown.