The U.S. aviation sector is plagued by delays amid staffing shortages as the U.S. Government shutdown continues.
Air Traffic Controllers Could Miss Paycheck
Delays and disruptions continued for the second day in the U.S., with delays at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, Nashville International, as well as Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in Texas, Business Insider reported on Tuesday. Delays at Nashville averaged 126 minutes, the report suggests.
The delays have occurred due to staffing woes during the government shutdown, which could see Air Traffic Controllers across the U.S. miss their first paycheck, the report said.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) stated the shortages. "NATCA has consistently warned that the controller staffing shortage leaves the system vulnerable, and today’s events underscore the urgent need to accelerate training and hiring," it said in the report.
Airline Group Urges Leaders To “Act In Good Faith”
As Congress failed to reach an agreement, Airlines For America, a consortium representing Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV), United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) and American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL), stated on October 1, urging lawmakers to “to act with urgency and in good faith,” to identify ways to reopen the government.
The consortium added that ATC and FAA employees working without pay would make millions of Americans, as well as the aviation sector, “feel the strain.” It also warned that the sector would need to slow down to maintain safe operations.
No Back Pay Guarantees, Chuck Schumer Blames Trump
The news comes as the White House has stated that furloughed federal workers will not be guaranteed back pay following the government shutdown, as the Trump administration seeks to reinterpret a 2019 back-pay law signed by President Donald Trump during his first term in office.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has slammed President Donald Trump for triggering the shutdown. The democratic leader said that the standoff is a “life or death” issue for millions of Americans.
The shutdown took effect after Congress failed to reach an agreement on federal funding and the budget for various government services in the U.S. through October and beyond.
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