Travel woes will be worse than expected this weekend.
Staffing issues at dozens of air traffic control facilities across the country are causing flight delays at many of the country’s largest airports.
That resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations beyond what the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut, and thousands of additional delays.
As of 5:15 p.m. ET Saturday, more than 5,300 flights were delayed nationwide, according to FlightAware.
Flights were disrupted for hours at some of the most congested East Coast hubs.
Average ground delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport and a large hub for Delta Air Lines in its hometown.
Travelers were delayed on average nearly four hours at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), while two other major hubs in the New York City area also experienced significant delays.
Cancellations, delays are the highest expectations
For travelers, the FAA this week imposed mandatory flight cuts at many of the nation’s busiest airports, adding to the confusion. Airlines are expected to cancel 4% of flights from 40 busy hubs this weekend.
This initially resulted in about 800 flight cancellations across the country as of Saturday.
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But by evening, more than 1,200 flights were canceled due to traffic congestion and staffing issues, which affected more flights than expected.
Read more: How every airline is handling flight cuts during shutdown: What to know
About 30 air traffic control facilities reported “staffing triggers” on Saturday night, according to FAA data reviewed by TPG.
Learn more: Flight delayed or canceled? This is what to do next
Pressure mounts on air traffic controllers
Air traffic controllers and other critical aviation employees have been working without pay since the government shutdown, which has been ongoing since October 1.
Over the past week, more and more controllers have canceled work, further straining an already short-staffed industry.
The problems and resulting flight delays are worsening even as the FAA begins enforcing mandatory flight restrictions on Friday.
FlightAware data shows nearly 20,000 flights have been delayed since Wednesday.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), American Airlines’ second-busiest hub, was fully staffed with ground stops for part of Saturday morning.
“We ask our passengers for patience and understanding as we work together to navigate this unprecedented situation,” the airport said in a social media post.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) experienced “significant delays and cancellations” Friday night.
There’s more turmoil ahead
There is also no sign that the disruption is easing. Airlines have canceled nearly 930 flights for Sunday under FAA restrictions. One in 10 flights at the 40 major airports affected is expected to be canceled by late next week.
Without a deal to reopen the federal government, it’s hard to imagine significant immediate improvements in air traffic control staffing.
In a statement Friday, a trade group for the largest U.S. airlines implored congressional leaders to find common ground to end the longest grounding in history.
“We are pleading with Congress to act with utmost urgency to reopen the federal government, pay federal workers, and return our airspace to normal operations,” American Airlines said. “Time is of the essence.”
What should you do if you are going to fly?
TPG has comprehensive coverage of the shutdown’s impact on travelers.
