Staffing shortages also created delays at Newark and Denver airports, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Is our airspace unsafe? No, but if we think there’s issues with the airspace, we will shut it down – we will close it down, we will delay,” Duffy said.
An FAA spokesperson confirmed “increased staffing shortages across the system” to KQED. In this event, “the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations.”
During the last government shutdown in 2018 and 2019, air traffic controllers calling in sick caused widespread flight delays and cancellations.
This hasn’t played out in major Bay Area airports yet. A spokesperson for San Francisco International Airport said it hadn’t “received any such reports locally” when it came to staffing issues, and an Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport spokesperson told KQED the airport didn’t expect “any screening or air traffic control services to be interrupted” due to the shutdown. At San José Mineta International Airport, “it’s business as usual,” a spokesperson said.
Keep reading for how to make sure you’re aware of any flight delays that might affect your upcoming journey — at either your point of departure or your destination — during the government shutdown.
Check your airport with the FAA’s National Airspace System Status tool
The FAA’s National Airspace System Status site allows passengers to see “active airport events” that might affect their flight — including staffing issues and weather.
The tool only uses three-letter airport codes, so make sure you know the code for the airport you’re departing and arriving from (i.e., “SFO” for San Francisco International Airport).
You can also use the FAA’s map view of affected airports.
Keep a watchful eye on your flight’s status
If you haven’t already, sign up for email or text alerts direct from your airline so you’re informed about possible delays or cancellations as soon as possible.
You can also check the status of your flight on each airport’s website. In the Bay Area, use:
Googling your flight number — for example, “UA246” for United flight 246 — will also show you a live flight tracker, using data from flight data company OAG.
Check live TSA wait times (where you can)
TSA employees are federal workers who, like air traffic controllers, are generally working without pay through the shutdown. A TSA spokesperson told KQED last week that around 61,000 of the agency’s 64,000 employees are considered essential, “and TSA will continue operations to keep the traveling public safe” — with the agency’s remaining employees temporarily furloughed.
