Flight Delays Spread Nationwide As Air Traffic Staffing Drops 50% In Some Areas

Benzinga

Flight delays are mounting as the shutdown enters week two, with air traffic staffing down 50% in some regions. The travel sector is losing $1B weekly as unpaid controllers and TSA agents face financial strain and rising absences.

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00:00It's Benzinga, bringing Wall Street to Main Street.

00:02U.S. air travel is straining as the government shutdown enters its second week,

00:05causing flight delays across Dallas, Chicago, Nashville, and the Washington, D.C. area amid air traffic control staffing shortages.

00:12U.S. travel associations said the shutdown is costing the travel economy $1 billion weekly.

00:17Unpaid controllers and TSA agents face growing financial pressure.

00:21Transportation Secretary Sean Dovey said controller sick calls have increased,

00:24with some regions seeing a 50% staffing drop, raising fears of wider delays as the impasse continues.

00:302019 widespread air traffic controller absences that disrupted major East Coast airports

00:35prompted Trump to end the nation's longest government shutdown by signing a resolution to reopen it.

00:40As the shutdown continues and missed paychecks accumulate,

00:42more air traffic controllers and TSA agents are likely to take sick leave.

00:46Many struggle to cover basic expenses like child care and commuting.

00:50The average TSA screener earning about $51,000 a year.

00:53For all things money, visit Benzinga.com.

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