U.S. Northeast airports face delays and cancellations as air traffic controllers call in sick amid thunderstorms
Severe weather and a high rate of sick leave among air traffic controllers forced the FAA to impose ground stops at eight major Northeast airports on Friday, prompting thousands of flight cancellations and delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed ground stops at eight major airports in the Northeast on Friday after a surge in sick leave among air traffic controllers coincided with thunderstorms. The disruptions affected John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore-Washington, Washington Dulles and Reagan National, leading to 1,990 cancellations and 2,992 delays nationwide, according to FlightAware data.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned travelers that the staffing shortfall, which saw 40-60% of controllers absent at several New York facilities, could cause further delays. He advised passengers to monitor flight status on airline websites and consult the FAA’s National Airspace System Status page for real-time updates.
A retired air traffic controller explained on social media that long shifts, variable schedules and adverse weather contribute to high sick-call rates, noting that working exhausted can pose safety risks. The FAA’s advisory indicated that staffing at New York airports was at 57% of target levels.
While the Northeast bore the brunt of the disruptions, other hubs including Denver, Chicago O’Hare, Chicago Midway and Tampa also reported reduced staffing. The agency plans to hire 8,900 new controllers by 2028 to address chronic shortages that have persisted for decades.
Travelers with flights to or from the affected airports over the weekend are urged to check with their airlines for possible rebooking options and to follow FAA updates, as both staffing constraints and forecast thunderstorms could lead to additional interruptions.