More than 1,700 flights were cancelled across the United States due to severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, compounded by the ongoing government shutdown. This situation has caused significant travel disruptions nationwide.
New York City's three major airports—Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and John F. Kennedy International—faced extensive delays on Saturday, some lasting several hours.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) linked these widespread travel issues to staffing shortages. Air traffic controllers and federal security screeners have missed paychecks due to the budget impasse, impacting their availability.
The FAA temporarily imposed a ground stop for incoming flights to Newark after average arrival delays exceeded four hours earlier on Saturday.
The nation’s busiest airports have been hit hardest, revealing vulnerabilities in air travel management during government funding disruptions.
Summary: The US government shutdown has led to significant FAA staffing shortages, triggering over 1,700 flight cancellations and widespread delays, especially affecting major airports in New York City.
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