Over 23,000 US Flight Delays Hit Airports In A Week As Unpaid Staff Take Food Delivery Jobs

Several major airports across the United States reported significant travel delays over the weekend as staffing shortages hit air traffic control operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed on Sunday, October 19, that airports in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Newark were among those affected, USA Today reported.

The disruption comes amid the ongoing US government shutdown, now the third-longest in the country's history, which has severely affected federal agencies, including those that manage air travel.

Thousands Of Aviation Workers Working Without Pay

According to USA Today, around 13,000 air traffic controllers and nearly 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are continuing to work despite not receiving salaries. These employees are categorised as "essential workers," meaning they must remain on duty even during a funding freeze.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News that while these workers received a partial paycheck earlier this month, their next payment - due on October 28 - could be missed if the shutdown continues.

"They got a partial paycheck a week ago Tuesday. Their next paycheck comes a week from Tuesday. In that paycheck there will be no dollars. They do not get paid," Duffy said.

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Airport Staff Turning To Food Delivery Apps To Make Ends Meet

Duffy said that some federal workers have started taking temporary jobs to cope with the financial uncertainty.

"We have heard they are taking Uber jobs. They are doing DoorDash - they are finding ways to keep their families afloat," he added.

Over Half Of Flight Delays Linked To Staffing Gaps

Earlier this month, more than 23,000 flights across the US were delayed within a single week. Duffy said that 53 per cent of those delays were tied to staffing shortages - a sharp rise from the usual 5 per cent.

While he noted that conditions have slightly improved in recent days, he warned the situation remains unstable.

"If the shutdown continues, we could see more workers calling in sick, which would only make things worse for passengers," Duffy said.

Long Hours And Burnout Worsen FAA's Longstanding Problems

Aviation experts say the staffing crunch at the FAA is not new. Even before the shutdown, air traffic controllers were working extensive overtime to keep flight operations running smoothly. The ongoing political deadlock has only made the strain more visible.

The issue has now become a major point of contention in the wider debate over the shutdown, with unions, airlines, and lawmakers urging the government to restore funding and relieve pressure on essential workers.

Flights Still Largely On Schedule, Data Shows

Despite recent disruptions, overall US flight performance has remained relatively stable. Aviation data firm Cirium reported that more than 82 per cent of flights departed on time during the first 17 days of the shutdown - considered average or slightly better for US airspace.

"I do not see any degradation in performance at the major airports," said Mike Arnot, spokesperson for Cirium. "Any operational delays are more likely tied to the recent Northeast weather, not systemic staffing issues."

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If The Shutdown Drags On

While essential FAA staff will eventually receive back pay once funding resumes, the prolonged uncertainty is taking a toll.

Duffy warned that extended financial strain could push some workers to leave the public sector altogether.

"What we could see is a number of workers decide to exit the government and go somewhere else," he said, cautioning that such losses could hurt the aviation system's long-term safety and efficiency.