Flights Into LaGuardia Cancelled? Flight Delays at LGA, EWR, PHL Due to Air Traffic Control ShortageNewsweekJanuary 25, 2019 10:41 am
Weeks into the government shutdown, employees at airports nationwide have felt the effects and amid concerns that a decrease in the workforce could sacrifice safety and hinder travel, flights into a New York airport were delayed.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced on its website that flights into LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York, on Friday, were delayed citing a shortage in air traffic control staff. Staffing issues included problems with the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center and the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center, among others.
The employee shortage in the Washington area prompted the FAA to order a ground stop at LaGuardia, according to Bloomberg. Newark Liberty International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Reagan National Airport also experienced delays, as reported by Bloomberg.
Flights arriving into LaGuardia Airport were delayed by about 41 minutes as of 10:15 a.m. EST and gate hold and taxi delays were between 15 and 29 minutes, although FAA said it was decreasing. Arrival traffic was experiencing airborne delays of 15 minutes or less.
The FAA explained that the information was about general airport conditions and advised people who were flying to check with their airline to see if their flight would be affected.
Travelers wait in line at the Delta baggage drop at LaGuardia Airport , August 8, 2016, in the Queens borough of New York City. Flights were delayed coming into LaGuardia Airport after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a ground stop due to an employee shortage from the government shutdown. Drew Angerer/Getty Images