U.S. flight delays near 7,000 as government shutdown hits Day 27

The air traffic control tower is seen in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., May 9, 2025.
Reuters

U.S. air travel turmoil deepened as nearly 7,000 flights were delayed nationwide on Monday, with air traffic controller absences surging as the federal government shutdown reached its 27th day.

The Federal Aviation Administration cited staffing shortages and imposed ground delay programs affecting Newark Airport in New Jersey, Austin Airport in Texas and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Monday.

Flights in the southeast were delayed earlier because of significant staffing shortages at the Atlanta Terminal Radar Approach Control.

Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers must work without pay after a budget impasse between Republican President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats triggered the shutdown.

The Trump administration has warned flight disruptions will increase as controllers miss their first full paycheck on Tuesday.

More than 8,800 flights were delayed on Sunday.

A U.S. Department of Transportation official said 44% of Sunday's delays stemmed from controller absences — up sharply from the usual 5%. 

The mounting delays and cancellations are fueling public frustration and intensifying scrutiny of the shutdown's impact, raising pressure on lawmakers to resolve it.

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