This weekend’s travel problems appear to be even worse than expected.
Staffing issues at dozens of air traffic control facilities across the country are causing flight delays at many of the country’s largest airports.
It has caused hundreds of cancellations beyond What the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut – and thousands of additional delays.
As of 5:15 p.m. EST on Saturday, more than 5,300 flights had been delayed nationwide, according to data from FlightAware.
In some of the most congested hubs on the East Coast, travelers were disrupted for several hours.
Average ground delays exceeded five and a half hours at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport and megahub for local airline Delta Air Lines.
Travelers faced average delays of nearly four hours at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), along with considerable traffic jams at the New York City region’s two other major hubs.
Cancellations and delays, main expectations
For travelers, chaos has been added after this week’s FAA decision. implemented mandatory flight cuts in many of the country’s busiest airports. Airlines were expected to cancel 4% of departures at 40 busy hubs this weekend.
This had initially led to about 800 cancellations across the country as of Saturday.
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But cancellations totaled more than 1,200 by early afternoon, as congested traffic and staffing issues affected even more flights than expected.
Read more: How Each Airline Is Handling Flight Cuts During Shutdown: What You Need to Know
According to FAA data reviewed by TPG, about 30 air traffic control facilities reported “personnel releases” heading into Saturday night.
Read more: Flight delayed or canceled? Here’s what to do next
The increasing pressure on air traffic controllers
Air traffic controllers and other critical aviation sector employees have been working without pay since the start of the government shutdown, which has continued since October 1.
Over the past week, a growing number of controllers have suspended their jobs, further straining an already short-staffed profession.
Those problems, and the resulting flight delays, have worsened even as the FAA began enforcing its mandatory flight restrictions on Friday.
Nearly 20,000 flights have been delayed since Wednesday, FlightAware data showed.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), American Airlines’ second-busiest hub, spent part of Saturday morning on a staffed ground stopover.
“We ask passengers for patience and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented situation together,” the airport said in a social media post.
This was after Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) suffered “significant delays and cancellations” on Friday night.
More turbulence ahead
There are also no signs that the disruptions will slow down. Airlines have already canceled about 930 departures for Sunday, in accordance with FAA restrictions. By the end of next week, cancellations are expected to affect one in 10 flights out of the country. 40 major airports affected.
And without an agreement to reopen the federal government, it is difficult to imagine a major and immediate improvement in air traffic control staffing.
In a statement Friday, a trade group for America’s largest airlines implored congressional leaders to find common ground to end the longest shutdown in history.
“We urge Congress to act with extreme urgency to reopen the federal government, get federal workers paid, and get our airspace back to normal operations,” Airlines for America said. “Time is of the essence.”
What should you do if you are flying?
TPG has complete coverage of the impact of the government shutdown on travelers.
