Flight delays persist as government shutdown leads to air traffic controller shortages

Flight delays have become widespread across U.S. airports as a government shutdown enters its second month, exacerbating an existing shortage of air traffic controllers. Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey is experiencing delays of two to three hours, with ripple effects impacting other New York City area airports, leading to potential schedule changes and missed connections for travelers. Other major airports, including Houston's George Bush Intercontinental, Dallas Fort Worth International, Chicago O'Hare, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and Miami, are also reporting numerous delays and some cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay for weeks. U.S. Transportation Secretary has warned that these disruptions will intensify the longer controllers go without a paycheck, emphasizing that controllers may slow down or cancel flights to ensure safety. He also indicated that controllers who do not report to work due to lack of pay would not be fired, as they are facing difficult decisions... download the app to read more