Shutdown Sparks Major Flight Disruptions, Staffing Shortages

The U.S. government shutdown has entered its second month, and unpaid air traffic controllers and widespread staffing shortages have worsened delays and prompted unions and the FAA to urge Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution. Staffing shortfalls, including reports of no certified controllers for an Orlando evening shift, and severe weather led the FAA to impose ground stops and arrival limits at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, producing multi-hour arrival delays and the prospect of further restrictions. Aggregated industry tallies show roughly 318 cancellations and 2,860 delays nationwide, while major carriers reported hundreds of delays and dozens of cancellations — for example, Delta (106+ cancellations, 222 delays), Southwest (14 cancellations, 735+ delays), United (24 cancellations, 532 delays), American (29 cancellations, 547 delays), JetBlue (41 cancellations, 246 delays) and Spirit (50 cancellations, 100+ delays). Disruptions have spread internationally, with Jetstar reporting about 20 cancellations and 127 delays across Asia–Pacific hubs including Tan Son Nhat, Incheon, Changi and Sydney. Airlines are offering rebooking and updates while airports and transportation officials warn that the funding lapse, combined with weather and operational issues, could prolong travel chaos and exacerbate financial strain and attrition among controllers.