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Passengers across the United States are preparing for increasing delays as workforce gaps at airports further deteriorate during the current government closure, now reaching its seventh consecutive day.

Escalating Worries Over Air Travel Network

Union representatives for flight controllers and security screeners have warned that the situation is expected to worsen, with staffing challenges documented at multiple key airports including facilities in Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.

"The risk of wider impacts to the American air travel network continues to increase by the day," stated travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

He voiced serious worry that should the closure persist, it could potentially disrupt millions of Americans' holiday travel arrangements in November.

Travel Disruptions and Operational Issues

Workforce gaps, featuring an increased rate of workers taking sick leave, impacted major airports around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights across the country.

• Burbank airport's flight control was briefly shut down and operations were handled by another facility
• Nashville airport experienced postponements averaging 120 minutes due to workforce challenges
• Chicago's O'Hare showed average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• The DFW airport had postponements recorded at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Labor Stance

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association stressed that it does not support any coordinated activities that could negatively affect the National Airspace System.

The union stated that air traffic controllers take their responsibility to protect public safety very seriously and participating in any job action could lead to removal from federal service.

Official Viewpoint

Transportation Secretary the transportation official alerted that the national flight control network is being harmed from the ongoing government shutdown.

"They aren't only thinking about the airspace," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are not receiving salaries. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a salary'?"

The official observed that many controllers depend on regular income and cannot afford extended periods without payment.

Wider Consequences

Based on contingency planning, roughly 25% of the employees, or over eleven thousand FAA employees, were temporarily laid off when the shutdown began last week.

Nevertheless, 13,000 air traffic controllers remain on duty, with recruitment and instruction continuing as well.

Labor leader Nick Daniels pointed out that the closure has highlighted existing challenges faced by air traffic controllers, including staff shortages and outdated equipment.

He explained that the circumstances is particularly grave at regional facilities where limited staffing creates additional challenges.

Regardless of the extensive postponements, flight data showed that roughly 92% of departures from American airports took off on time as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration had not activated a "staffing trigger" that would decrease the flight volume in and out of airports, suggesting that operations were proceeding despite the challenges.