As the federal government shutdown continues, the FAA and the nation’s air traffic control system are being increasingly affected, leading to delays at major airports across the U.S.
Federal air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are considered “essential,” meaning those federal employees are expected to keep working despite not receiving a paycheck. They’re supposed to get back pay once the shutdown is lifted.
The Federal Aviation Administration said late Sunday, Oct. 19, that air traffic control staffing issues were delaying travel at airports in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and Newark as a U.S. government shutdown became the third-longest in history, USA TODAY reported.
Still, the longer the shutdown drags on, the more likely disruptions become. Here’s what you need to know.
Some airports seeing ‘increased number of sick calls’
In a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Oct. 6, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said some air traffic control facilities were seeing increased numbers of sick calls, which was attributed to the shutdown.
Duffy, however, added that the absences were isolated, and the agency is prepared to slow air traffic as needed to meet controller staffing levels.
“One facility one day, another facility another day, some areas have seen a 50% reduction in some of the staffing,” Duffy said. “We take the appropriate action to make sure our skies are safe … If we see those issues in the tower that are affecting controllers’ ability to effectively control the airspace, we’ll reduce the rate, and you can see more delays or you can see a cancellation.”
How to check your flight status at Detroit Metro Airport
Travelers at Detroit Metro Airport can check their flight status online for both arrivals and departures at the airport’s official website.
In addition, Michigan’s other major airports also provide online tools to check flight status, including:
How many passengers do Michigan airports serve?
The Michigan Department of Transportation tracks passenger enplanements at airports in the state. Totals for 2025 at Michigan’s largest airports through August/September include:
Does the airline have to compensate me for a delayed flight?
The U.S. Department of Transportation maintains a website listing what each airline will do in the event of a delay or cancellation.
Can I see which airports are experiencing delays?
FlightStats by Cirium provides real time airport delay information online.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Federal government shutdown may delay air travel. How to check your flight status
Reporting by John Tufts, Zach Wichter and Jalen Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
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