The Federal Aviation Administration says shortages in air traffic control are adding to delays on U.S. flights

lack of Air traffic controllers The Federal Aviation Administration warned Wednesday that more flight delays may be possible, as concerns grow about the impact of the coronavirus Government shutdown On American aviation.

About 10,000 Flights It was postponed on Monday and Tuesday, although disturbances on Wednesday dropped to just over 2,500. The delay could be caused by weather or other reasons besides staffing issues. But the shortage of air traffic control personnel, already weak this week, prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to slow or ground flights to Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, among other cities.

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy The Federal Aviation Administration is seeing an “uptick” in sick calls for air traffic controllers, the Federal Aviation Administration warned Monday.

He also said close This exacerbates concerns about pressure on air traffic controllers, whose shortages have baffled airline executives for years.

“Nearly 11,000 fully certified controllers remain on the job, many working 10-hour shifts up to six days a week, showing extraordinary dedication to safely guiding millions of passengers to their destinations — all without getting paid during this shutdown,” the air traffic controllers union, the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, said in a statement.

Earlier Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration warned of the possibility of an overstaffing at Newark Liberty International Airport, but that warning was lifted by the afternoon. Newark was not seeing an influx of flight delays.

The government shutdown extended into its eighth day on Wednesday, as the Senate failed to pass a funding proposal again.

Duffy said Tuesday on CNBC:Squawk box“There is not a single airport that consistently experiences problems with air traffic controller staffing,” he urged Congress to pass the funding bill.

He added: “The talks and battles taking place revolve around issues that will allegedly bear fruit at the end of the year.” “Open the government, allocate months for conversation and negotiation, but let’s not use this as leverage on the hardworking Americans who keep our skies safe for political gain.”

During a close“essential” workers such as air traffic controllers and TSA agents continue to work without pay, while many other employees are placed on the job. vacation.

The more than month-long closure, which began in late 2018, ended early the following year, hours after a shortage of air traffic controllers crippled air travel in New York.