The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pressed lawmakers late Friday to reopen major airports across the US Experience flight delays and cancellations Shortage of staff due to lack of funding.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers are among the federal employees considered essential and are working without pay Ever since the government shutdown started.
under strainAirports have reported an increase in recent weeks Call-out volume,
“As we enter this weekend, the increase in callouts is placing a strain on staffing levels at many facilities, causing widespread impacts across the region. [National Airspace System]“The agency wrote social platform x“Currently, half of our core 30 facilities are experiencing staffing shortages, and approximately 80 percent of air traffic controllers are absent at New York-area facilities.
The post further reads, “After 31 days without pay, air traffic controllers are under extreme stress and fatigue.” “The shutdown must end so these controllers can get the pay they have earned and passengers can avoid further disruptions and delays.”
The FAA reiterated that safety is the first priority and due to staffing shortages, air traffic flow may be reduced, resulting in delays and cancellations.
As of Saturday morning, more than 11,000 flights had been delayed and nearly 400 flights had been cancelled. flight Aware,
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has increased Recruitment and Retention A major priority of controllers, Accepted earlier this month As the shutdown approaches a month, staff are “stretching thin.”
“The regulators are getting weaker,” he told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo last Sunday. “And then, they’re taking on other jobs, they’re out there looking for, ‘Can I drive Uber, can I get another source of income to make ends meet?'”
He later said, “My message to the controllers is, ‘Show up, it’s your job. After all, you are [going to] Payment should be made. But there are some real-life situations that they are dealing with with their families.”
Duffy also warned at the beginning of the shutdown flight delays and cancellations There was a possibility.
four of The country’s largest airlines — United, American, Southwest and Delta — also urged lawmakers to pass legislation to reopen the government.
The Senate has failed 13 times The finish line passed despite some senators moving to advance a GOP-led continuation resolution. are stranded Due to delay in Washington.
