Overview
- The FAA temporarily halted LAX-bound flights Sunday because of staffing shortfalls, then imposed ground delays and restrictions at Newark, Boston, Fort Myers, Austin and Dallas–Fort Worth.
- More than 8,800 flights were delayed Sunday and over 4,300 Monday, with the Department of Transportation attributing 44% of Sunday delays to controller absences.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency logged 22 staffing alerts and cautioned that passenger disruptions will intensify as the shutdown continues into days 26–27.
- Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 TSA employees are working without pay, and controllers plan demonstrations at at least 17 airports.
- Airlines reported elevated delay rates Monday—Southwest at 24%, American at 18% and Delta at 13%—as the FAA limited takeoffs and landings to preserve safety.