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Travelers across the United States are bracing for growing delays as workforce gaps at airports further deteriorate during the ongoing federal government shutdown, now reaching its seventh day.

Growing Concerns Over Aviation System

Labor leaders for air traffic controllers and security screeners have warned that the situation is expected to worsen, with staffing challenges reported at several key airports including locations such as Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

"The potential of wider impacts to the American air travel network continues to increase by the day," commented travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed grave concern that if the shutdown continues, it could potentially disrupt millions of Americans' holiday travel arrangements in November.

Travel Disruptions and Operational Issues

Staffing shortages, featuring an increased rate of employees calling in sick, affected key facilities around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights across the country.

• The Burbank facility's air traffic control was temporarily closed and operations were handled by another facility
• The Nashville facility reported delays of approximately two hours due to staffing issues
• O'Hare Airport in Chicago showed average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• The DFW airport experienced delays logged at 30 minutes

Sector Reaction and Union Position

The primary air traffic controllers union stressed that it does not endorse any coordinated activities that could adversely impact the national flight network.

The union stated that flight controllers take their responsibility to protect public safety very seriously and engaging in any job action could result in removal from federal service.

Official Viewpoint

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the national flight control network is being harmed from the continuing federal closure.

"They aren't only thinking about the airspace," he commented regarding flight controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

The official noted that many controllers live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford extended periods without payment.

Wider Consequences

According to contingency planning, approximately a quarter of the employees, or over eleven thousand aviation administration workers, were furloughed when the closure started last week.

Nevertheless, thirteen thousand flight controllers continue working, with hiring and training continuing as well.

Union president Nick Daniels pointed out that the closure has emphasized existing challenges faced by air traffic controllers, including workforce gaps and aging technology.

He explained that the situation is particularly grave at regional facilities where limited staffing creates additional challenges.

Regardless of the extensive postponements, aviation analytics showed that roughly 92% of flights departing from US airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not activated a "workforce threshold" that would reduce the number of flights in and out of airports, indicating that operations were continuing despite the difficulties.