WASHINGTON — Air travel across the United States came under severe strain on Sunday as more than 8,000 flights were delayed, according to flight tracking data, marking one of the worst days for travelers since the government shutdown began nearly a month ago.
Federal Aviation Administration officials cited widespread air traffic controller absences and mounting fatigue as key reasons behind the growing wave of disruptions.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said air traffic control facilities in 22 locations experienced staffing shortages over the weekend, warning that further flight delays and cancellations were likely in the coming days.
The ongoing government shutdown, now in its 26th day, has left roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees working without pay.
While essential personnel are still required to report for duty, the missed paychecks have led to increasing absenteeism and growing strain across the aviation system.
The FAA is already operating below its target staffing levels by approximately 3,500 controllers even before the shutdown began.
Many have been working extended shifts and six day weeks to maintain operations. The combination of financial stress and burnout has pushed the system close to breaking point.
Duffy described the current shortage level as “one of the highest we’ve seen since the shutdown began,” adding that the agency had activated 22 “triggers” for controller shortfalls on Saturday.
Aviation experts warn that prolonged financial uncertainty among controllers could lead to greater risks and disruptions if not resolved soon.
“When critical safety personnel are distracted by financial stress and exhaustion, the entire system becomes fragile,” said Robert Mendez, a former FAA operations manager and aviation consultant.
“Controllers can’t simply be replaced it takes years of training to reach full certification.” Industry analysts also note that the shutdown could delay the recruitment and training of new controllers, compounding long term staffing issues.
“Every week this shutdown continues, the backlog of trainees grows,” said aviation economist Dr. Karen Liu. “That’s a future safety and efficiency concern.”
According to FlightAware, 8,027 US flights were delayed by 11 p.m. Eastern time Sunday a sharp rise from about 5,300 delays recorded the previous day.
Southwest Airlines experienced around 2,000 delays, roughly 45% of its total schedule. American Airlines reported nearly 1,200 delays, accounting for about one third of its operations.
United Airlines saw 739 delays, or about 24% of its schedule. Delta Air Lines had 610 delays, representing around 17% of its flights.
Ground delay programs procedures that slow incoming flights to manage congestion were issued for several major airports, including Chicago O’Hare, Washington’s Reagan National, and Newark Liberty International.
A ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport earlier in the day was later lifted. Travelers across major hubs expressed frustration but also empathy for the controllers working through the shutdown.
“I’ve been stuck here for hours, but you can’t really blame the staff they’re doing their jobs without pay,” said Jennifer Hall, a traveler waiting at Reagan National Airport. “It’s unfair to everyone involved.”
At O’Hare International Airport, air traffic controller Marcus Reed said the fatigue was taking a toll on his colleagues. “Morale is dropping fast,” he said. “People are missing paychecks, working long shifts, and trying to stay focused on safety. It’s tough.”
Airport concession workers also noted a rise in stranded passengers. “The lines at food stalls have doubled,” said Chicago vendor Elisa Gomez. “It’s been like a snowball effect one delay leads to five more.”
Transportation officials warned that disruptions may worsen as the shutdown continues. The next scheduled payday for federal employees is Tuesday the first one that would cover an entire unpaid pay period for October.
“The real test will come after this week,” said Duffy. “Controllers are doing all they can, but many are exploring second jobs just to make ends meet.”
A prolonged shutdown could force the FAA to scale back some operations, particularly in training and certification. During the 35 day shutdown in 2019, similar staffing shortages led to ground stops in New York and Washington and lengthened security wait times across the country.
Lawmakers remain at an impasse over a short term funding bill. Republicans have pushed for a “clean” extension without policy conditions, while Democrats are demanding broader negotiations that include funding for health care programs and other priorities.
The mounting flight delays highlight how deeply the shutdown is affecting essential infrastructure. With more than 8,000 flights delayed Sunday and major airlines struggling to maintain schedules, the strain on both travelers and aviation workers continues to grow.
Unless Congress and the White House reach a funding agreement soon, officials warn, the nation’s air travel system could face even greater disruption in the days ahead.