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Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Adaline Pete/AP

Airports across the United States faced mounting flight delays on Tuesday as the federal government shutdown entered its seventh day, straining already thin staffing levels at air traffic control towers and security checkpoints.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported staffing shortages at major airports in Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia, as well as at air traffic control centers in Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Takeoffs into several of those cities were temporarily slowed to maintain safety standards.

While about 92% of the 23,600 flights scheduled for Tuesday departed on time, aviation analysts warned that the disruption could worsen if the shutdown drags on. “The risk of broader impacts on the U.S. aviation system is growing by the day,” said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst, who cautioned that holiday travel could be at risk if the deadlock persists.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there has already been an increase in air traffic controllers calling in sick. On Monday, staffing shortages forced the Hollywood Burbank Airport control tower in California to close for several hours, causing average delays of two and a half hours.

Union leaders representing air traffic controllers and TSA officers voiced growing concern. “It’s not like we have extra controllers we can move around,” said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. “Our system is critically understaffed.”

TSA workers are also feeling the strain, with some calling in sick as paychecks lapse. “Employees are struggling to make ends meet,” said Johnny Jones, a TSA union official. Airports including Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson have begun offering food vouchers and parking assistance for unpaid federal staff.

Industry groups and unions continue to urge lawmakers to end the shutdown, warning that continued disruptions could severely impact air travel safety and efficiency nationwide.