Government Shutdown Flights: LAX Halts Arrivals as Controllers Call in Sick

The Federal Aviation Administration halted flights to Los Angeles International Airport. This major disruption occurred on Sunday morning. A critical air traffic control facility faced a severe staffing shortage.The ground stop was a direct consequence of the ongoing federal government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had just warned that more travel chaos was imminent. He cited unpaid air traffic controllers calling in sick due to financial stress.

Travel Chaos Spreads Across Major US Airports

The FAA initiated the ground stop at 11:42 a.m. Eastern Time. Flights destined for LAX were held at their origin airports. This caused average delays of one hour and forty minutes.According to Reuters, this was not an isolated incident. Staffing issues also caused disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport. Similar problems were reported at airports in Florida and New Jersey.

Unpaid Workers and a Strained System

The situation highlights the real-world impact of the political impasse. Air traffic controllers are deemed essential personnel. This means they must work through the shutdown without pay.Secretary Duffy revealed a worrying trend. He stated there were 22 staffing triggers in a single day. This is one of the highest numbers seen since the shutdown began, signaling a system under immense strain.

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The halt of flights into Los Angeles underscores the escalating consequences of the government shutdown. As essential workers go unpaid, the reliability of the national airspace is being tested. The government shutdown flights crisis shows no sign of abating, leaving travelers in limbo.

Info at your fingertips

Why were flights to LAX halted?

The FAA issued a ground stop due to a staffing shortage. The shortage was at a key Southern California air traffic control facility. This was linked to unpaid controllers calling in sick.

Which other airports were affected?

Newark Liberty International Airport faced disruptions. Southwest Florida International Airport also reported issues. Teterboro Airport in New Jersey was impacted too.

How long did the LAX ground stop last?

The FAA expected to lift the stop after nearly two hours. However, they warned that traffic restrictions could continue. Delays averaged one hour and forty minutes.

What is a “staffing trigger”?

A staffing trigger occurs when there are not enough controllers for safe operations. The Transportation Secretary reported 22 triggers in one day. This indicates a system under severe stress.

Are air traffic controllers being paid during the shutdown?

No, they are working without pay. They are classified as essential personnel. This means they are required to work despite the government funding lapse.