Flights Delayed at Major Northeast US Airports Because of Staffing

Flights are delayed on Jan. 25, 2019 at LaGuardia Airport in New York, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and Philadelphia International Airport due to staff call outs at the Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control center.

The FAA reports that flights at LaGuardia are delayed between 15 and 30 minutes, and flights departing from Newark and Philadelphia have been delayed approximately 1 to 1.25 hours.

In a statement, the FAA reported that they have experienced a small increase in sick leave at air traffic control facilities which affects Florida and New York airports.

An FAA spokesperson reported that a protocol will go into effect which is the same one used during severe storms. Operations will be adjusted to coordinate with the air controller resources that are available. Flights will be rerouted as needed, and there will be an increase in time between flights.

The flight delays are a result of the partial federal government shutdown which enters day 35.

On Jan. 23, the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Paul Rinaldi, told CNN that the shutdown poses a huge safety risk to those traveling. He also pointed out that air traffic controllers are making mistakes due to the stress and exhaustion caused by the shutdown.

Written By Barbara Sobel
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware

Sources:

CNN: Flights delayed at major Northeast US airports because of staffing, FAA says
The New York Times: Airport Delays Ripple Across Northeast Due to Air Traffic Controller Shortage
The Detroit News: FAA halts flights to La Guardia amid shutdown

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