Chaos is mounting at US airports as thousands of air traffic controllers work without pay during the ongoing federal government shutdown. Travelers are feeling the turbulence.
On Sunday morning, Newark Airport, one of New York’s busiest hubs, issued a ground stop.
Delays stretched beyond three hours and were expected to spill into Monday.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says half of the country’s 30 major airports are struggling with staff shortages.
Nearly 13,000 controllers — along with TSA agents — are still on the job but unpaid, as the shutdown drags into its second month.
Air Travel Disruptions Mount
“We’ve had to reduce the flow of air traffic to maintain safety,” the FAA warned, urging lawmakers to act before the skies get even more congested.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy admitted the strain is showing.
“There’s a level of risk when one controller is doing two jobs instead of one,” he told ABC, describing the situation as “incredibly stressful.”
With bills piling up, some controllers are considering side gigs just to feed their families.
“Do I go to work and not get a paycheck, or do I drive for Uber?” Duffy asked rhetorically.
As Washington gridlocks over funding and healthcare subsidies, passengers across America are left stranded.
They are stuck on the runway of political dysfunction.
