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Passengers across the United States are bracing for increasing delays as workforce gaps at airports further deteriorate during the ongoing federal government shutdown, now entering its seventh day.

Growing Concerns Over Aviation System

Union representatives for flight controllers and TSA agents have cautioned that the situation is expected to worsen, with staffing challenges reported at multiple key airports including facilities in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Philadelphia.

"The risk of wider impacts to the US aviation system continues to increase by the day," stated aviation expert Henry Harteveldt.

He voiced serious worry that should the closure persist, it could possibly interfere with millions of Americans' Thanksgiving travel plans in November.

Flight Delays and Operational Issues

Workforce gaps, featuring an increased rate of employees calling in sick, impacted major airports around New York, Los Angeles and Denver on Monday, causing delays for over 6,000 flights nationwide.

• The Burbank facility's air traffic control was temporarily closed and operations were handled by a different location
• The Nashville facility reported postponements averaging 120 minutes due to staffing issues
• O'Hare Airport in Chicago showed average delays of nearly three-quarters of an hour
• Dallas-Fort Worth experienced postponements recorded at 30 minutes

Industry Response and Labor Stance

The primary air traffic controllers union emphasized that it does not endorse any coordinated activities that could negatively affect the national flight network.

The union clarified that flight controllers value their duty to ensure passenger security extremely earnestly and participating in any work stoppage could lead to removal from federal service.

Official Viewpoint

Transportation Secretary the transportation official alerted that the country's air traffic control system is being harmed from the continuing federal closure.

"They aren't only thinking about the airspace," he commented regarding air traffic controllers who are working without pay. "They're concerned about, 'Am I going to get a paycheck'?"

He noted that many controllers live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford prolonged durations without payment.

Wider Consequences

Based on emergency preparations, approximately a quarter of the employees, or more than 11,000 aviation administration workers, were furloughed when the shutdown began last week.

However, 13,000 air traffic controllers continue working, with recruitment and instruction also ongoing.

Union president Nick Daniels pointed out that the closure has highlighted preexisting issues encountered by air traffic controllers, including staff shortages and outdated equipment.

He explained that the situation is particularly grave at smaller airports where reduced personnel creates additional challenges.

Regardless of the widespread delays, flight data showed that roughly 92% of flights departing from US airports took off on time as of Tuesday afternoon.

The aviation regulator had not issued a "workforce threshold" that would decrease the flight volume in and out of airports, suggesting that operations were proceeding despite the difficulties.