Flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport were temporarily halted due to an air traffic control staffing shortage, a problem echoed nationwide amid a federal government shutdown causing controllers to work without pay.
Flights bound for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were briefly halted on Sunday due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported. This incident was part of a wider issue, with the FAA also reporting staffing-related delays in Chicago, Washington, and Newark, New Jersey. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had previously predicted an increase in flight delays and cancellations, noting that more air traffic controllers were calling in sick due to financial stress and the challenges of their job while working without pay during the federal government shutdown. Duffy highlighted 22 'staffing triggers' on Saturday, one of the highest numbers since the shutdown began, indicating controllers were 'wearing thin.' The ground stop for LAX-bound planes was issued at 11:42 a.m. Eastern time and lifted at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. While LAX did not experience lingering issues, other airports like Dallas Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field saw significant late arrivals due to weather and equipment. Additionally, too few air traffic controllers per shift caused takeoff and arrival disruptions on Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, and Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida. Later that evening, the FAA also slowed traffic into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport due to ongoing air traffic controller staffing shortages.
