The New York Times reports flight delays and temporary shutdowns at several airports on the East Coast of the US due to a shortage of air traffic controllers and technicians related to the shutdown of the federal government.
At Orlando International Airport, flight delays averaged 2 hours and 40 minutes, according to the newspaper. Some flights were delayed by up to 12 hours, and several were canceled. Due to a shortage of air traffic control personnel, "John F. Kennedy" International Airport in New York has imposed a suspension of some flights. At "Ronald Reagan" National Airport Washington reported flight disruptions on the afternoon and evening of October 30.
Earlier, Transportation Secretary and Acting Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Sean Duffy warned that Americans could face a chain reaction of flight delays across the country due to a shortage of air traffic controllers and technicians as a result of the government shutdown. The official explained that air traffic controllers are not getting paid and are unable to provide for their families.
The partial shutdown of the US federal government began at midnight on October 1 due to a lack of funding. This happened because representatives of the ruling Republican and opposition Democratic parties in Congress were unable to reach an agreement on a number of spending items, including health care. They have still not been able to reach an agreement. Democrats and Republicans have accused each other of instigating the shutdown and extending it for political gain.
Since 1977, funding for the federal government has been cut off more than 20 times due to disagreements between the administration and Congress. The longest period was 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, during Donald Trump's first term.