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Travelers across the United States are bracing for increasing delays as airport staffing shortages continue to worsen during the current government closure, now entering its seventh day.

Growing Concerns Over Aviation System

Labor leaders for air traffic controllers and security screeners have warned that the circumstances is likely to deteriorate, with staffing challenges documented at multiple key airports including locations such as Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

"The potential of broader effects to the US aviation system is growing by the day," stated travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He voiced grave concern that should the closure persist, it could possibly interfere with millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Travel Disruptions and Operational Challenges

Staffing shortages, featuring an elevated number of workers taking sick leave, impacted major airports around Denver, Los Angeles and New York on Monday, resulting in delays for over 6,000 flights nationwide.

• The Burbank facility's air traffic control was briefly shut down and operations were handled by a different location
• Nashville airport experienced postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• Chicago's O'Hare recorded typical postponements of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• The DFW airport had postponements recorded at half an hour

Industry Response and Union Position

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association emphasized that it does not support any coordinated activities that could negatively affect the National Airspace System.

The organization clarified that flight controllers value their duty to ensure passenger security extremely earnestly and participating in any job action could lead to removal from federal service.

Official Viewpoint

The Transportation Department head the transportation official warned that the country's air traffic control system is being harmed from the ongoing government shutdown.

"They're not just thinking about the airspace," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're thinking about, 'Am I going to get a paycheck'?"

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

Wider Consequences

Based on emergency preparations, approximately 25% of the workforce, or over eleven thousand aviation administration workers, were temporarily laid off when the closure started last week.

However, thirteen thousand flight controllers remain on duty, with recruitment and instruction also ongoing.

Labor leader Nick Daniels indicated that the shutdown has highlighted preexisting issues faced by air traffic controllers, including staff shortages and aging technology.

He explained that the circumstances is particularly grave at regional facilities where reduced personnel creates additional challenges.

Despite the widespread delays, flight data showed that approximately ninety-two percent of flights departing from US airports took off on time as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration had not activated a "workforce threshold" that would decrease the flight volume in and out of airports, indicating that operations were proceeding despite the challenges.