U.S. air travelers have experienced five consecutive days of delays, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributes to ongoing air traffic control (ATC) staffing shortages. Major U.S. airlines have advised passengers to prepare for potential disruptions. These challenges are occurring amidst an ongoing government shutdown, during which approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay. An incident involving a fire alarm and a natural gas odor led to a temporary evacuation of the Atlanta ATC tower, further impacting flights. The FAA confirmed that it has been addressing a decade-long shortage of air traffic controllers, currently operating about 3,500 controllers below targeted staffing levels, which had led to mandatory overtime and six-day workweeks prior to the shutdown. To maintain safety during staffing constraints, the FAA implements measures to reduce the flow of air traffic into affected airports and centers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a warning that air traffic controllers who repeatedly fail to report for duty during the shutdown could face termination.
Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/travelling-to-us-pack-patience-as-flight-delays-are-new-normal-in-us-govt-shutdown-tsa-visa-passport-immigration-11760244937140.html