Flight delays in US to grow worse, transportation secretary warns

October 26, 2025

U.S. air traffic controllers, who must work without pay during the ongoing government shutdown, are increasingly seeking second jobs and calling in sick, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The staff shortages have resulted in flight disruptions at multiple airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and potentially Dallas Fort-Worth. On Sunday alone, more than 3,000 flights were delayed, with Duffy reporting that 22 airport alerts due to worker shortages were issued on Saturday—one of the highest numbers since the shutdown began.

Who is affected

Air traffic controllers working without pay
Air travelers experiencing flight delays
Passengers at major airports (Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Dallas Fort-Worth)
Aviation regulators and safety personnel
Travelers planning for Game 3 of the World Series and Thanksgiving holiday

What action is being taken

Air traffic controllers are seeking second jobs (like driving for Uber) to make ends meet
Some controllers are calling in sick or being absent from work
Airports are stopping or slowing plane traffic due to staffing shortages
The FAA is issuing alerts about flight delays
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is meeting with controllers to hear their concerns

Why it matters

The situation is causing significant flight disruptions with over 3,000 flights delayed on Sunday
Major airports are experiencing operational challenges, including the fifth-busiest airport in the country (LAX)
The stress on controllers could potentially impact air safety, though Duffy didn't directly address if flying was safe
The disruptions come before major travel events (World Series and Thanksgiving)
A similar strain on air travel helped end a previous government shutdown in 2019 after 35 days

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC