FAA Warns Staffing Triggers Amid Shutdown

The ongoing 31-day federal government shutdown has forced roughly 13,000 air-traffic controllers and other essential workers, including TSA agents, to work without pay, prompting the FAA to issue an operations advisory warning of “staffing triggers” at multiple major facilities and to reduce the flow of air traffic to maintain safety. The agency says about half of its "core 30" facilities are experiencing shortages, with extreme callouts in New York-area centers. Flight disruption metrics have been significant: FlightAware counted roughly 6,000 U.S. delays and nearly 500 cancellations on a recent day, and the FAA has implemented ground-delay programs and cancellations. Specific impacts included Dallas/Fort Worth ground delays averaging 45 minutes (414 delayed, 25 canceled) and Orlando seeing about 2.5-hour average arrival delays before partial recovery, with knock-on effects at other hubs. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged strain on operations, and FAA and aviation officials urged Congress to end the impasse so workers receive pay and travelers avoid further disruption.