Air travel disruptions continued for a second straight day Tuesday as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grappled with worsening staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown. Passengers across the U.S. faced mounting delays, with air traffic controllers working without pay and the pressure on the aviation system intensifying.
The FAA reported staffing-related delays at several major airports — including Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, Houston, Chicago, and Las Vegas — following earlier slowdowns at Denver, Phoenix, Burbank, and Newark. The situation highlights the growing strain on the nation’s air travel infrastructure as controllers juggle long hours, stress, and financial uncertainty.
Despite the widespread disruptions, the FAA said it had not yet issued a “staffing trigger,” which would restrict flights at affected airports to ensure safety. However, the number of delays continues to surge. According to flight-tracking website FlightAware, more than 6,000 domestic and international flights were delayed Monday — double the number reported just two days earlier. As of Tuesday morning, more than 1,000 flights were still delayed across the U.S.
At Nashville International Airport, average delays reached two hours Tuesday afternoon, while Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport saw delays averaging 41 minutes. Flights at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport were delayed by around 30 minutes, though wait times began to improve later in the day.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at Newark International Airport that there has been a noticeable increase in sick calls since the shutdown began nearly a week ago. “Our priorities are safety,” Duffy said. “If we have additional sick calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that’s safe for the American people.” He added that controllers are under immense pressure: “Now what they think about as they’re controlling our airspace is: ‘How am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment? I have a couple kids at home, how do I put food on the table?’”
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) reminded its members that participating in any job action that could disrupt flight safety is prohibited. “Participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service,” the union said in a statement on its website. “It is not only illegal, but it also undermines NATCA’s credibility and severely weakens our ability to effectively advocate for you and your families.”
NATCA President Nick Daniels urged lawmakers to end the shutdown immediately, saying at a Newark news conference, “We do not have the luxury of time. We do not have time to waste on the unnecessary distractions created by this shutdown. Our message is clear: End the shutdown.”
In Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport spokesperson Eric Everts said the airport expects limited short-term impacts, as most essential federal employees are still required to work without pay. However, he advised travelers to confirm flight statuses and arrive early, especially “during this busy fall break period.”
The ripple effects are spreading across the aviation industry, with concerns mounting about the toll on safety and morale among essential workers. Controllers, who already endure one of the most stressful jobs in government, are now balancing fatigue with financial strain as the shutdown stretches on.
Meanwhile, the Senate once again failed Monday night to pass legislation to reopen the government. With no deal in sight between Democrats and Republicans, travelers, airlines, and federal workers face growing uncertainty — and the prospect of more delays if the impasse continues.
