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Travelers throughout America are preparing for growing delays as workforce gaps at airports continue to worsen during the current federal government shutdown, now entering its seventh day.

Escalating Worries Over Air Travel Network

Union representatives for air traffic controllers and security screeners have cautioned that the situation is likely to deteriorate, with staffing challenges reported at multiple major airports including facilities in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The potential of wider impacts to the American air travel network continues to increase by the day," stated travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He voiced serious worry that if the shutdown continues, it could potentially disrupt millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Travel Disruptions and Operational Issues

Staffing shortages, featuring an increased rate of employees calling in sick, impacted major airports around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, resulting in postponements affecting more than 6,000 flights across the country.

• Burbank airport's air traffic control was temporarily closed and responsibilities were managed by another facility
• Nashville airport experienced postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• Chicago's O'Hare showed average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• The DFW airport had delays logged at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Union Position

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association stressed that it does not endorse any organized actions that could negatively affect the national flight network.

The organization stated that air traffic controllers value their duty to protect public safety very seriously and participating in any job action could lead to termination of employment.

Official Viewpoint

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the national flight control network is suffering damage from the ongoing government shutdown.

"They aren't only thinking about the flight paths," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're thinking about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

He observed that many operators live paycheck to paycheck and are unable to manage extended periods without payment.

Wider Consequences

According to contingency planning, roughly a quarter of the workforce, or over eleven thousand FAA employees, were furloughed when the shutdown began last week.

However, 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty, with hiring and training continuing as well.

Labor leader Nick Daniels pointed out that the closure has emphasized preexisting issues faced by air traffic controllers, including workforce gaps and outdated equipment.

He explained that the situation is especially serious at smaller airports where reduced personnel creates additional challenges.

Despite the extensive postponements, flight data indicated that approximately 92% of departures from American airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration had not activated a "workforce threshold" that would reduce the number of flights in and out of airports, indicating that operations were continuing despite the challenges.