Travel

8,000 Flight Delays Mark Worst Air Travel Breakdown Since Shutdown Began as FAA Shortages Deepen

U.S. air travel faced its most severe disruptions yet on October 26, with FlightAware reporting over 8,000 flight delays by evening—an increase from 5,300 the previous day—as Federal Aviation Administration staffing shortages amid the government shutdown triggered ground stops and reduced capacity at major airports nationwide. The agency issued advisories for 22 "triggers" indicating air traffic controller absences on October 25—one of the highest since the lapse began on October 1—leading to flow control measures at facilities in Chicago, Newark, Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, speaking on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" on October 26, described the situation as a sign that "the controllers are wearing thin," warning that the figure was "one of the highest that we've seen in the system" and projecting further strain as the shutdown enters its 26th day. These issues have cascaded into average delays exceeding two hours at affected hu...