More than 8,000 flights were delayed across the U.S. on Sunday as air traffic controller absences continued to disrupt travel and a federal government shutdown reached its 26th day.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration experienced air traffic control staffing issues at 22 locations on Saturday, and added additional shortages were expected to lead to more flight delays and cancellations in the days ahead, Reuters reported on Monday.
According to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, there were more than 8,000 U.S. flight delays by 11 p.m. ET on Sunday (0500 WAT on Monday), an increase from about 5,300 on Saturday. Delays have often been above average since the government shutdown began on October 1.
Southwest Airlines had 45%, or 2,000 flights, delayed on Sunday, while American Airlines had nearly 1,200, or a third of its flights, delayed. United Airlines had 24%, or 739 flights, delayed, and Delta Air Lines had 610 flights, or 17%, delayed, according to FlightAware.
Some 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers must work despite not being paid during the shutdown.