Over 1,700 Flights Cancelled in the US Amid FAA Staffing Crisis and Government Shutdown
Over 1,700 flights were cancelled across the United States due to staffing shortages in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during the ongoing government shutdown, causing widespread travel disruptions.
Major Airports Impacted
New York City’s three key airports — Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and John F. Kennedy International — faced significant delays lasting several hours on Saturday.
Flight Disruptions and Data
According to CNN and data from flight tracking website FlightAware, more than 1,500 flights were cancelled on Saturday, with over 6,600 flights delayed. Additional cancellations and delays were reported on Sunday, further impacting travelers.
“The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributed the widespread disruptions to staffing shortfalls as air traffic controllers and federal security screeners missed paychecks amid the budget impasse.”
FAA Response
The FAA temporarily implemented a ground stop on incoming flights to Newark after arrival delays exceeded four hours earlier on Saturday.
The busiest airports in the nation bore the heaviest consequences from the staffing shortages related to the government shutdown.
Author's summary: The government shutdown caused severe FAA staffing shortages, leading to over 1,700 flight cancellations and significant delays, especially in New York City’s main airports.