Today's Edition
WASHINGTON (REUTERS)
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday that air traffic control staffing issues delayed travel for a fifth straight day as major US airlines urged air travellers to be patient during an ongoing government shutdown.
More than 6,400 flights were delayed on Friday - and 470 canceled - after 22,000 had been delayed since Monday, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
Air travel is expected to rise in the United States during the three-day Columbus Day holiday weekend.
The FAA said late on Friday it was experiencing staffing issues in Chicago, New York, Newark, San Diego, Dallas, Washington, and Phoenix, among other airports. A temporary evacuation of the Atlanta air traffic control tower Friday due to a fire alarm and reports of a strong natural gas odour also snarled flights.
Airlines were urging passengers to be patient.
The head of the FAA said earlier the agency is facing continuing air traffic control staffing shortages as a US government shutdown entered its 10th day but emphasised safety would not be compromised.
"Staffing shortages have increased across the country," FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in an email to employees. "Safety will never be compromised. When staffing constraints occur, we will reduce the flow of air traffic into affected airports and centres to maintain safe operations."
Some 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers must still turn up for work during the government shutdown, but they are not being paid. Controllers are set to receive a partial paycheck on October 14 for work performed before the shutdown.
