Major airports halt departures as controller shortages bite during shutdown
Ground stops ripple across key hubs
Three of the nation’s busiest airports imposed ground stops or delays on Thursday as air traffic control staffing thinned under the ongoing federal government shutdown. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) was first to act, implementing a ground delay program that pushed departures by an average of 30 minutes because of limited staffing. Later in the day, Newark Liberty International (EWR) and New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) escalated to full ground stops, temporarily halting all outbound flights due to the same constraints.
FAA signals possible extensions
The Federal Aviation Administration said the likelihood of those ground stops being extended was “medium,” pegged at a 30% to 60% chance. The agency has warned for weeks that personnel shortfalls could force additional traffic management programs, including longer delays and reduced departure rates at congested airports.
Shortages spread beyond the Northeast
Earlier this month, the FAA acknowledged nationwide strain as staffing gaps hit multiple control centers, including facilities serving Chicago, Nashville, Houston, and Las Vegas. These centers manage vast swaths of U.S. airspace, so even localized shortages can trigger cascading delays hundreds of miles away. With the shutdown now in its 23rd day, officials say the system has less flexibility to absorb call-outs and scheduling gaps.
From 5% to 53%: delays tied to staffing
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that in normal conditions, about 5% of delays stem from staffing shortages. Since the shutdown began, he said that figure has surged to 53%, reflecting how quickly controller availability can become a bottleneck for the entire network. Duffy urged controllers to report for duty while also acknowledging the strain on those working under uncertainty about pay and schedules.
Safety drives the pace of operations
Duffy emphasized that safety remains the first priority. If staffing falls below safe operating levels, the Department of Transportation will slow or stop traffic flow to keep aircraft adequately spaced and crews within manageable workloads. For travelers, that can mean longer waits at the gate, rolling departure times, and tighter connection windows as airlines adjust schedules in real time.
What travelers should expect
With staffing still constrained and the shutdown ongoing, airports may continue to use ground stops and delay programs to balance traffic with available personnel. Flyers heading through DCA, EWR, and LGA—and through major hubs tied to affected control centers—should plan for possible schedule changes, allow extra time for connections, and keep an eye on airline and FAA updates throughout the day.
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This article was written by Hunter and edited with AI Assistance
