Overview
- The FAA declared an operational emergency and JFK temporarily suspended departures for about 90 minutes, while New York City Emergency Management capped arrivals at 36 per hour and held inbound flights at origin.
- Two United Airlines jets made contact during taxi at LaGuardia with no injuries reported; passengers deplaned, at least one flight was canceled, and federal authorities said they will investigate.
- The FAA cited staffing shortfalls causing delays at major hubs including Boston, Phoenix, San Francisco, Nashville, Houston, Dallas and the Washington, D.C., area, as data showed a broader system slowdown late in the week.
- A brief ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport last weekend was also attributed to controller shortages, underscoring nationwide strain on air traffic operations.
- NATCA said controllers working without pay are nearing unsustainable conditions, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Vice President J.D. Vance warned of escalating disruptions if the shutdown extends into the Thanksgiving peak.