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Passengers across the United States are preparing for increasing delays as airport staffing shortages continue to worsen during the current government closure, now entering its seventh day.

Escalating Worries Over Air Travel Network

Labor leaders for flight controllers and TSA agents have cautioned that the situation is likely to deteriorate, with staffing challenges documented at several key airports including facilities in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The potential of wider impacts to the US aviation system is growing by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed grave concern that if the shutdown continues, it could possibly interfere with millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Issues

Staffing shortages, including an elevated number of workers taking sick leave, affected key facilities around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, causing postponements affecting more than 6,000 flights across the country.

• Burbank airport's flight control was temporarily closed and operations were handled by a different location
• Nashville airport reported delays of approximately two hours due to staffing issues
• O'Hare Airport in Chicago showed typical postponements of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• Dallas-Fort Worth experienced delays logged at half an hour

Sector Reaction and Union Position

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association stressed that it does not endorse any organized actions that could adversely impact the national flight network.

The organization clarified that flight controllers value their duty to ensure passenger security extremely earnestly and participating in any job action could lead to removal from federal service.

Official Viewpoint

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the national flight control network is suffering damage from the continuing federal closure.

"They aren't only thinking about the airspace," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are working without pay. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

The official noted that many operators live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford prolonged durations without compensation.

Broader Implications

According to contingency planning, approximately a quarter of the workforce, or over eleven thousand FAA employees, were temporarily laid off when the shutdown began last week.

However, 13,000 air traffic controllers continue working, with hiring and training continuing as well.

Union president Nick Daniels indicated that the shutdown has highlighted existing challenges faced by flight controllers, including workforce gaps and outdated equipment.

He clarified that the situation is particularly grave at regional facilities where reduced personnel creates additional challenges.

Regardless of the widespread delays, flight data showed that approximately 92% of flights departing from US airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not activated a "staffing trigger" that would decrease the number of flights in and out of airports, indicating that operations were proceeding despite the challenges.