Overview
- The FAA said Orlando International briefly had no certified controllers on Thursday, triggering a temporary ground stop that was later lifted but leaving lengthy delays.
- FlightAware logged over 900 delays and more than 200 cancellations by Thursday evening, with New York and Boston hubs heavily affected and Delta’s private checkpoints at LAX and JFK closed due to TSA staffing gaps.
- The FAA listed temporary shutdowns or disruptions at Logan, Newark, Harry Reid and John Wayne airports as staffing shortfalls forced safety‑driven slowdowns.
- Delta, American, United and Southwest publicly urged Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government and restore pay for controllers, TSA and CBP personnel.
- Vice President J.D. Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Thanksgiving travel could be a disaster if the shutdown persists, noting controllers and other essential workers have missed paychecks and sick calls are rising.