Major US airports issue ground stops or delays

Multiple major U.S. airports on Thursday issued ground stops or delays amid air traffic controller staffing shortages, reflecting the widening effects of the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 23rd day.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), just outside of the U.S. capital, issued a ground delay program. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston issued ground stops due to staffing, temporarily halting all departures.

According to the latest information from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), departures to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are delayed for an average of 31 minutes as of 9:30 p.m. Thursday (0130 GMT on Friday).

According to data from FlightAware, over 5,000 flights within, into, or out of the United States have been delayed, with 80 cancellations.

Starting this month, some 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees have continued working without pay. The TSA is responsible for security screening at U.S. airports.

As two parties continue to trade blame and accusations, there is a growing possibility that the government shutdown could drag on into November, even the holiday season.

"We fear there will be significant flight delays, disruptions and cancellations in major airports across the country this holiday season," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.