Overview
- John F. Kennedy International Airport temporarily suspended flights from 18:07 to 19:30 GMT on October 31, according to an FAA notice.
- The agency says 15 of its 30 primary airport facilities now lack sufficient air traffic controllers, with nearly 80% absent at New York–area sites.
- FAA communications cite 31 days without pay for controllers and note mounting stress and fatigue among the workforce.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that continued shutdown conditions could produce a catastrophic November travel period and mass delays if controllers stop reporting.
- The shutdown began October 1 after Congress failed to pass a budget, and President Donald Trump has said he could use the pause to pursue personnel and program cuts while blaming Democrats for the stalemate.