Khaberni - The Federal Aviation Administration said late Thursday that problems associated with air traffic control crews are delaying travel at airports in New York, Washington, Newark, and Houston, as the government shutdown in the United States continues on its twenty-third day.
The FAA reported staffing issues at 10 different locations and issued orders to halt flights at Houston Bush and Newark airports.
Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were delayed by an average of thirty-one minutes, and the average delay at LaGuardia Airport in New York was 62 minutes.
About 13,000 air traffic controllers and approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officials still have to work without pay during the government shutdown.
According to the flight tracking site FlightAware, more than 4200 flights were delayed in the United States on Thursday.
Federal officials are concerned about the potential increase in absences among air traffic controllers over the weekend.
By Tuesday, controllers will be deprived of their first full paycheck.
Democrats deny the accusation that they are responsible for the ongoing shutdown and say that President Donald Trump and the Republicans are the ones refusing to negotiate.
