Ground delays have been issued amid a shortage of air controllers as the lockdown continues
As the government shutdown continues, so too are the problems at airports — this time at Orlando International Airport in Florida.
A ground delay was issued Thursday evening for Orlando MCO – AL The busiest airport in the state – With departure flights to the airport being delayed by an average of 2.7 hours due to staffing issues. This delay is in effect from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET, according to the FAA advisory.
Earlier in the evening, the Federal Aviation Administration said the airport would not be able to land incoming flights for a while due to the unavailability of certified air traffic controllers at the center.
This was later remedied, with the FAA saying there was “overstaffing” of the F11 Central Florida Tracon, which was staffed by controllers. The airport did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, was also experiencing ground delays averaging 90 minutes, also due to staffing issues. The delay was from 1:30 p.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday, according to the FAA.
It’s the latest setback to hit beleaguered U.S. airports plagued by understaffing, delays and cancellations as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration workers remain unpaid.
Departing flights to Los Angeles International Airport were halted Sunday morning due to staffing shortages. A temporary ground stop was issued, with Los Angeles-bound planes held at their originating airports and delayed by an average of 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Tuesday marked the first time federal employees — including air traffic controllers — received $0 paychecks as the shutdown continues at the 30-day mark.
The disruptions affecting air travel prompted Delta Air Lines on Thursday to ask Congress to immediately reopen the government. The airline warned that losing their wages “only increases the pressure on these essential workers, many of whom are already working mandatory overtime to keep our skies safe and secure.”
The crisis has added salt to the wounds that preceded the consoles’ closure: staff shortages and long, stressful timelines.
This week, air traffic controllers with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, a labor union and aviation safety organization, called for an end to the shutdown and distributed flyers.
Air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals often work grueling schedules of six days a week and ten hours a day, and some take on second jobs to feed their families and pay bills, the group said.