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Travelers across the United States are bracing for increasing delays as airport staffing shortages continue to worsen during the ongoing government closure, 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 likely to deteriorate, with staffing challenges reported at several key airports including facilities in Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

"The risk of wider impacts to the American air travel network is growing by the day," stated aviation expert Henry Harteveldt.

He expressed serious worry that should the closure persist, it could potentially disrupt countless American holiday travel arrangements in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Challenges

Staffing shortages, featuring an increased rate of workers taking sick leave, impacted key facilities around Denver, Los Angeles and New York on Monday, resulting in postponements affecting more than 6,000 flights across the country.

• The Burbank facility's flight control was temporarily closed and operations were handled by another facility
• Nashville airport reported postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• O'Hare Airport in Chicago recorded average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• The DFW airport had delays logged at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Union Position

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

The organization stated that flight controllers take their responsibility to protect public safety extremely earnestly and engaging in any work stoppage could lead to termination of employment.

Official Viewpoint

The Transportation Department head the transportation official alerted that the country's air traffic control system is suffering damage from the continuing federal closure.

"They're not just thinking about the flight paths," he remarked regarding flight controllers who are working without pay. "They're thinking about, 'Am I going to get a paycheck'?"

The official observed that many controllers live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford prolonged durations without payment.

Broader Implications

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

Nevertheless, 13,000 air traffic controllers continue working, with recruitment and instruction continuing as well.

Union president Nick Daniels pointed out that the shutdown has emphasized existing challenges faced by air traffic controllers, including staff shortages and outdated equipment.

He clarified that the circumstances is especially serious at smaller airports where limited staffing creates further difficulties.

Regardless of the widespread delays, aviation analytics indicated that roughly 92% of departures from American airports departed as scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration had not issued a "workforce threshold" that would decrease the number of flights in and out of airports, indicating that operations were continuing despite the challenges.