Chicago O’Hare Delays Worsen Amid Air Traffic Controller Shortage and Ongoing Government Shutdown

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ongoing government shutdown led to flight delays at Chicago O’Hare Airport on Tuesday.

The Federal Aviation Administration stated that the Northwest Side airport is experiencing staffing shortages in air traffic control facilities and towers.

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Controllers are deemed essential workers, which requires them to work during the shutdown, though they are not receiving pay. As a result, some workers have been calling in sick.

“We want to ensure air travel is safe, and controllers are focused not on their mortgages, not on the next paycheck, not on food on the table, but on making sure you and your family are safe,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy remarked.

Though the airport was not very busy on Tuesday evening, delays still impacted travelers.

Earlier Tuesday, the FAA announced, “Departures to Chicago O’Hare International are delayed avg. 41 mins. due to other delays assigned to departures within 1,200 nautical miles.” This alert has since been removed from the FAA website.

People taking off somewhere, coming home or just transiting felt more than inconvenienced on Tuesday.

The annoyed passengers do not like being part of the flying public inconvenienced by a political fight in Washington, D.C.

O’Hare is one of at least eight airports around the country facing staffing shortages.

An FAA statement released earlier Tuesday reads, “Due to a recent lapse in funding, we recognize there are many questions about flight delays and staffing shortages across the system. For real-time updates at U.S. airports, including staffing and weather, visit https://nasstatus.faa.gov.”

This situation follows Burbank Airport in the Los Angeles area having to close its air traffic tower on Tuesday due to having zero controllers on duty.