US Flight Chaos: Over 3,000 Delays as Shutdown Enters Day 7 — Major Airports Crippled by Staff Shortages
Over 3,000 flights delayed across the US as the government shutdown hits Day 7. Staffing shortages at FAA and bad weather hit major airports like Houston, Nashville, and Chicago O’Hare. Here’s what’s happening.
Thousands of travelers stranded as major U.S. airports struggle with staffing shortages amid the ongoing government shutdown
America’s skies are in disarray. More than 3,000 flights were delayed across the United States on Tuesday as the government shutdown hit Day 7, forcing air traffic operations to run with skeletal staff.
Major airports — including Houston, Nashville, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas, and Newark — are among the hardest hit, with Southwest Airlines delaying over 500 flights and American Airlines more than 400, according to FlightAware.
FAA Struggles to Keep Flights Moving
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it has cut the number of flights allowed to land per hour at major hubs like Chicago O’Hare, resulting in average delays of 40+ minutes.
At Newark, planes are being held up to 30 minutes on the ground, while Nashville’s air traffic control is being temporarily backed up by Memphis Center.
Even Washington Reagan and Atlanta’s control centers are facing severe staff shortages — putting immense pressure on the system.
Weather Adds to Woes
If the staffing crunch wasn’t enough, bad weather conditions across the Midwest and East Coast are worsening the chaos, causing more cancellations and longer hold times.
Shutdown Sparks Political Firestorm
The travel meltdown has quickly turned political.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed Democrats for “jeopardizing national operations,” while California Governor Gavin Newsom said President Donald Trump had “created a self-inflicted national crisis.”
The shutdown, now a week old, continues with no resolution in sight as Congress remains deadlocked.
Thousands Working Without Pay
Behind the scenes, nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers are still working without pay, keeping airports running under extraordinary pressure. They are expected to receive only partial pay on October 14 for pre-shutdown work.
Meanwhile, a White House memo indicates up to 750,000 furloughed employees may not receive back pay at all — a break from decades of precedent.
Travelers Advised to Prepare for Delays
With no end to the shutdown, experts advise travelers to:
✅ Check flight updates frequently
✅ Arrive early at airports
✅ Expect longer security lines and last-minute cancellations
“It’s chaos in the skies,” one traveler said at Chicago O’Hare. “Everyone’s working hard — but there’s just not enough people left to keep things moving.”
At a Glance
Flights delayed: 3,000+
Majorly affected: Chicago, Houston, Nashville, Newark, Dallas
Airlines hit: Southwest (500+), American (400+)
Cause: FAA staffing shortage amid government shutdown
Status: Day 7, no end in sight
