Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan.
The shortage of Names Traffic Traceller led to the main airport in Florida to turn away all arrivals Thursday night, as the shutdown of the royal government continues.
The authorities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an advisory on Thursday night, warning that there will be “No certified time controllers” at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
The shortage prompted the FAA to cancel all arrivals at MCO, the world’s largest airport home to Welt Disney and Universal Studios.
The FAA Air Traffic Control tower at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ, May 7, 2025. (Kena Betancura/AFP/Getty Images)
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Authorities renewed the advisory less than an hour later, including land delays.
FAA officials say the program is being “renewed due to increased staffing” of Florida’s Air Traffic Control Center.
The New York City Emergency Management announced on Friday that John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Laguardia Airport (LGA) are all subject to high traffic and high winds in several traffic control areas.
Ground conditions are in effect at JFK until 7:30 pm local time due to a staff shortage in the air traffic system.
Flights bound for JFK are held at their respective airports of departure.
The ground evacuation plan is also in place from early Saturday due to air restrictions and crew restrictions, holding 36 flights per hour, according to authorities. The average delay is about an hour, with more than 100 minutes.
Air traffic controllers are required to work without pay during the Federal government shutdown. (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
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EWR and LGA are also subject to land delay program due to lack of wind and air.
EWW arrivals are expected at 30 per hour this evening, according to officials. The average delay is 100 minutes, with some delays exceeding 170 minutes.
LGA Arrival rates range from 24 to 28 plans per hour from early Saturday morning, with an average delay of about 140 minutes.
Some flights are delayed for more than five hours, officials said. More restrictions are possible if conditions worsen.
“Travellers should expect widespread delays and check with their flight for the latest flight status,” according to emergency officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration is facing more delays due to the ongoing government shutdown. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
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Nick Daniels, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, recently blamed the government shutdown for the loss of air traffic control facilities.
“We have 10,800 certified controllers working in the system where there should be 14,633,” Daniels said. “We have 400 fewer regulators than we did in the 2019 shutdown. It’s just putting more strain and pressure on regulators every day.”
About 13,000 air traffic controllers maintain flights in the US and are considered essential workers, requiring them to work without pay during the shutdown.
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For the latest updates on flight delays and ground conditions, visit Faa’s website.
FOX News Digital’s Compton Compton and Madison Colombo contributed to this report.
