NEWS: Flight Delays and Cancellations Plague Airports as Government Shutdown Continues

It’s been a little over one week since the United States government shutdown began on October 1st, and we’re beginning to see the repercussions — especially at airports.

Orlando International Airport

Federal agencies and services that aren’t deemed “essential” by the government have halted, and while TSA officers and air traffic controllers are considered essential, many are calling in sick due to lack of pay, according to ABC News.

Flight delays and cancellations are running rampant at airports across the U.S. as air traffic controllers have been calling in sick — leaving airport towers and control facilities without enough staff to handle all flights properly.

Air travel

At Nashville International Airport, the air traffic control tower was operating with such little staffing that some traffic was handled by the control center in Memphis. There has been an average delay of more than two hours for flights in and out of Nashville due to the shortage.

Dallas and Chicago have also been seeing delays.

©Tampa International Airport

Air traffic controllers are considered essential workers and are exempt from being furloughed during a government shutdown, but they are expected to continue to work without pay. There are an estimated 13,294 controllers who can continue to work without pay, according to the Department of Transportation.

St. Louis Lambert Airport

The president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the union representing controllers, said that while the shortages aren’t necessarily new, they’re getting more attention now.

He continued, “It’s a shutdown. You’re finally seeing the issues of a critically staffed air traffic control system. In the last nine months, there have been 1,058 occurrences where one of our facilities has had to shut down, either temporarily for a few hours or for a shift. It’s something that air traffic controllers contend with daily. The shutdown absolutely doesn’t help it, but this is something that we deal with day in and day out.”

Expect delays

On Monday, October 6th, California’s Burbank Airport was forced to close its tower for several hours because there were no air traffic controllers to man it, according to FAA documents.

The airport stayed open, but flights were delayed on average by two and a half hours. Controllers from a San Diego airport handled the air traffic during the tower closure.

MCO airport

“There have been increased staffing shortages across the system. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations,” the agency said in a statement to ABC News.

The NATCA union said that it was working with the FAA to mitigate any disruptions in the national airspace.

Southwest Cabin

Regarding past shutdowns, Eric Hansen, senior vice president of government relations at the U.S. Travel Association, said, “Airports slow down and our economy slows down with it.” While it might not shut down the airport, it will inconvenience your travel plans in other ways. This loss of funding will pause hiring and training, and it will prevent workers from being paid until this shutdown is over.

MCO Airport Security

If you’re preparing to fly, make sure you keep this in mind and prepare yourself for potential delays and cancellations. While it’s unclear just how long the government shutdown will last, we’ll continue to monitor how it might impact your Disney World trip.

We’ll be on the lookout for more updates you need to know about traveling during the government shutdown. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest travel news and beyond.

I’m a Disney Blog Editor, and Here’s Every Essential I Pack To Travel to the Parks

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

Are you traveling during the government shutdown? Let us know in the comments.