Nearly four weeks into the federal government shutdown, a labor shortage at Los Angeles International Airport prompted a temporary shutdown Sunday morning that affects the largest airlines and the largest airports.
The restriction began at about 8:45 am, affecting flights from Oakland, and was lifted at 10:30 am, according to the FAA Air Traffic Control System Advisory Center.
The stoppage affected most of southern California, leaving passengers with flight delays of about 49 minutes, and others waiting for 87 minutes, according to Ktla.
Even after the resumption of flights, travelers are advised to check the status of their flights.
As the Federal Shutdown came to an end on Oct. 1, the Federal Aviation Administration warned of disruptions at airports due to staff shortages. Air traffic controllers are required to work without pay when the Federal government shuts down and do not receive back pay until congress reaches an agreement on the budget.
Less than a week into the flight, many flights were delayed and 12 flights were canceled as the Hollywood Burbank Air control Air control tower was temporarily dispatched due to shortages. Outbound flights were delayed an average of two hours and 31 minutes.
Airports across the country have experienced a shortage of staff at air traffic control towers this month. On Sunday afternoon, the operating system of the Federal Aviation Administration lists “employee causes,” from lax to Ronald Reagan at Washington National Airport in Pennsylvania.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Sunday the problem is getting more and more difficult as regulators, who don’t have paychecks, are calling in sick.
“I’ve been talking to air traffic controllers and you can see the pressure,” Duffy told Fox News. “These are people who live on a regular basis and live by paying fees or controlling one spouse at home. They are worried about gas in the car, they are worried about taking care of children and girlfriends.”
As of Saturday, 22 airports were understaffed, Duffy said.
“That’s one of the highest we’ve seen in the program since the shutdown began,” he said. “And that’s a sign that regulators are wearing thin.”
Press Office of California Gov. Hov Newlom quickly caught on to the issues of Lax and Goad Duffy.
“Hell of a job, @Secduffy,” the New Newloom office posted on X, sharing a news story about the state of the lax world. “I can’t wait to see what you do with NASA.”
This isn’t the first time that a Federal shutdown has sparked national disruption to the airline industry.
In January 2019, a large number of traffic controllers were attacked by sick people in New York City, prompting the management of Federal Aviation to temporarily stop flights at Laguardia Airport.
The chaos at Laguardia – and the subsequent media coverage of flight delays and threats to air safety – politicians were not immediately moved to a deal. But this year, Republicans and Democrats in Washington seem dead-set and close to a deal.
