U.S. airports recorded more than 20 instances of air traffic controller staffing shortfalls on Saturday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, underscoring the growing impact of a federal shutdown that began on October 1. About 13,000 controllers are working without pay, and Duffy warned disruptions could intensify as workers miss their first full shutdown-affected paycheck on Tuesday, October 28. ([dailywire.com](https://www.dailywire.com/news/concerning-air-traffic-controller-shortage-emerging-transportation-secretary-says))
The Federal Aviation Administration registered 22 "triggers" on Saturday indicating air traffic controller shortages, Duffy said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," calling it "one of the highest" since October 1. "That's a sign that the controllers are wearing thin," he added. (reuters.com)
Flight tracking service FlightAware tallied more than 5,300 U.S. delays on Saturday and over 2,500 by 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, with delays frequently above average since the shutdown began. (dailywire.com)
On Sunday, staffing issues affected operations in Chicago and Newark. The FAA briefly halted flights bound for Los Angeles International Airport, issuing a ground stop at 11:42 a.m. ET and lifting it at 1:30 p.m. ET. (apnews.com)
By around noon ET on Sunday, the FAA had recorded controller shortfalls at six U.S. airports, according to reports. (dailywire.com)
Controllers received about 90% of regular pay two weeks ago, but Tuesday’s payday covers work performed entirely in October while the shutdown has been in effect. Duffy said some controllers are seeking second jobs: "They're taking second jobs, they're out there looking." (dailywire.com)
Even before the shutdown, the FAA was about 3,500 controllers short of its targeted staffing levels, and many were working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks. (dailywire.com)
The strains echo the 35-day shutdown in 2019, when rising absences extended checkpoint wait times and forced authorities to slow air traffic in parts of New York and Washington. (reuters.com)
Republicans, including Duffy, have criticized Democrats for resisting a "clean" short-term funding bill; Democrats say the administration’s policy demands are blocking a deal, according to news reports. (reuters.com)