Air travel across the United States is facing a major crisis. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that due to a severe shortage of air traffic controllers at airports nationwide, widespread flight delays and cancellations are occurring.
According to CBS News, the crisis is being felt most acutely at major airports in California, Denver, Newark, and New Jersey. The situation has been further complicated by government shutdown-related budget restrictions.
Critical Staff Shortages Disrupt Transportation
According to FAA sources, many air traffic control centres are operating with critically low staffing levels. This shortage is causing disruptions in flight planning and air traffic management, leading to passengers waiting for hours at airports.
Nearly 6,000 Flights Delayed on 6 October
Data from flight-tracking platform FlightAware shows that on 6 October 2025 alone, approximately 6,000 flights across the United States were delayed, while hundreds were cancelled. Experts note that these disruptions have reached their highest level since the summer of 2022.
Following the complete lifting of pandemic restrictions, air traffic surged significantly; however, staffing levels have not recovered at the same pace. Currently, delays in FAA’s recruitment of new controllers and ongoing budget constraints are further increasing pressure on the system.
Transport Experts Sound the Alarm
Aviation experts warn that unless the controller shortage is resolved, flight safety and operational efficiency could be seriously affected. They also emphasise that prolonged delays may lead to significant economic losses for both airlines and passengers.
The US government is expected to introduce emergency budget support and new recruitment programmes to address the disruptions in the air traffic system.
Aero Haber X-Twitter you can follow his account. Follow
