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Passengers across the United States are preparing for growing delays as workforce gaps at airports continue to worsen during the ongoing government closure, now entering its seventh day.

Growing Concerns Over Aviation System

Labor leaders for flight controllers and TSA agents have warned that the circumstances is expected to worsen, with workforce issues documented at several major airports including locations such as Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

"The potential of wider impacts to the US aviation system continues to increase by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed serious worry that should the closure persist, it could possibly interfere with millions of Americans' holiday travel arrangements in November.

Travel Disruptions and Operational Challenges

Staffing shortages, including an elevated number of employees calling in sick, affected key facilities around Denver, Los Angeles and New York on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights nationwide.

• The Burbank facility's air traffic control was temporarily closed and operations were handled by another facility
• Nashville airport reported postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• O'Hare Airport in Chicago showed average delays of 41 minutes
• The DFW airport experienced delays logged at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Union Position

The primary air traffic controllers union emphasized that it does not endorse any organized actions that could negatively affect the National Airspace System.

The organization clarified that flight controllers value their duty to ensure passenger security very seriously and participating in any work stoppage could lead to removal from federal service.

Government Perspective

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the national flight control network is suffering damage from the ongoing government shutdown.

"They're not just thinking about the flight paths," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are working without pay. "They're thinking about, 'Am I going to get a paycheck'?"

The official noted that many operators live paycheck to paycheck and are unable to manage prolonged durations without compensation.

Wider Consequences

According to emergency preparations, roughly a quarter of the employees, or more than 11,000 FAA employees, were furloughed when the shutdown began last week.

Nevertheless, 13,000 air traffic controllers continue working, with recruitment and instruction continuing as well.

Union president Nick Daniels pointed out that the shutdown has highlighted preexisting issues encountered by flight controllers, including workforce gaps and aging technology.

He explained that the situation is especially serious at regional facilities where reduced personnel creates further difficulties.

Despite the widespread delays, flight data indicated that approximately 92% of flights departing from US airports took off on time as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not issued a "staffing trigger" that would decrease the flight volume in and out of airports, indicating that activities were proceeding despite the difficulties.