US Flight Delays Surge Amid Rising Air Traffic Controller Absences

Air travel in the United States has faced significant disruptions due to a surge in flight delays, linked to rising absences among air traffic controllers during an ongoing government shutdown.

Flight Delays Amid Controller Absences

As of November 3, 2025, over 3.2 million passengers have experienced delayed or canceled flights. This situation has resulted from approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay. The absence of these critical personnel has severely impacted airport operations nationwide.

Major Airports Affected

• Dallas and Austin: Ground delays reported due to controller shortages.
• New York: 80% of air traffic controllers were absent on a recent Friday.
• Houston: Security lines exceeded three hours on Sunday due to TSA officer absences.

Flight delays reached a peak last Friday, with more than 6,200 flights delayed and 500 canceled in a single day. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that controller absences accounted for 65% of delays on that day alone, exacerbating the travel challenges for many Americans.

Impact on the Aviation Industry

Airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways, are voicing concerns over potential long-term effects on operations. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby highlighted that the ongoing shutdown has affected flight bookings and could impact the upcoming holiday travel season.

Statistics indicate a dramatic shift in delays attributed to staffing issues. Prior to the shutdown, only 5% of delays were due to these concerns. Recent figures show this number spiking to 79% within the first two days of November.

Calls for Legislative Action

The four largest U.S. airlines and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association have urged Congress to pass a stop-gap funding bill to end the shutdown. They emphasize the importance of aviation safety and the urgent need to address the staffing shortages exacerbated by the current crisis.

With the FAA currently short by about 3,500 air traffic controllers, many were already working extended hours prior to the shutdown. As the situation continues to develop, industry leaders stress the necessity of resolving these staffing issues to restore normalcy to air travel.