Ground stop lifted after staffing shortage caused flight disruptions at LAX, FAA says
- - Ground stop lifted after staffing shortage caused flight disruptions at LAX, FAA says
Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY October 27, 2025 at 7:30 AM
1
A staffing shortage in Southern California’s airspace led to a temporary ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport on Oct. 26, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The restriction affected departing flights from Oakland, California, and went into effect at around 8:45 a.m. local time, according to an FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center advisory. The order was lifted at about 10:30 a.m., but the FAA had warned that there was a chance of extension.
The ground stop only impacted flights between Los Angeles and Oakland, but travelers experienced a total of over 900 minutes in delays, the FAA said in its advisory. Average flight delays were around 49 minutes, and some flights were delayed for up to 87 minutes, according to the FAA.
After flights were resumed, the FAA said it was likely delays could continue and that travelers were advised to monitor the status of their flights. The temporary ground stop came after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that flight disruptions would increase in the coming days, as air traffic controllers will miss their first full paycheck on Oct. 28 amid the federal government shutdown.
Duffy told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" program that the FAA had 22 "triggers" on Oct. 25 that indicated shortages of air traffic controllers. He called that figure "one of the highest that we've seen in the system" since Oct. 1.
"That's a sign that the controllers are wearing thin," Duffy said.
Earlier this month, Duffy said the government shutdown was adding stress to already overworked and understaffed air traffic controllers. He previously said air traffic control facilities have seen an uptick in controllers calling in sick, with some missing as many as 50% of employees on any given day since the shutdown started on Oct. 1.
Federal government shutdown: Transportation chief warns of more flight disruptions due to the shutdown
Newsom blames Trump administration for lack of air traffic controllers
In response to the temporary ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office blamed the disruption on the Trump administration.
"Hell of a job, @SecDuffy," Newsom’s press office wrote on X, sharing a news article about the ground stop. "Can’t wait to see what you do with NASA."
Earlier this month, Newsom criticized President Donald Trump for the lack of air traffic controllers at the Hollywood Burbank Airport in Los Angeles County. On Oct. 6, the FAA said the air traffic control tower for the Burbank Airport would be unmanned due to staffing shortages.
"Thanks, @realDonaldTrump! Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. today because of YOUR government shutdown," the governor wrote in a social media post on Oct. 6.
1 / 7Travelers face flight delays amid FAA staff shortages, government shutdownPlanes line up on the runway to depart from San Francisco International Airport on Oct. 8, 2025 in San Francisco. For a third straight day, flight delays are being seen across the country as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is experiencing continued airport staffing shortages due to the government shutdown.Staffing shortages cause disruptions at several U.S. airports
According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, there were more than 5,400 U.S. flight delays on Oct. 25 and more than 5,700 by 3 p.m. local time on Oct. 26. Delays have often been above average since the shutdown began. Weather issues have also impacted flights.
By noon ET on Oct. 26, the FAA had recorded shortfalls in air traffic controllers at six U.S. airports.
Staffing shortages caused disruptions on Oct. 26 at Newark Liberty International Airport and Teteboro Airport in New Jersey, according to the FAA. The agency also said air traffic control staffing issues were reported for Chicago flights.
More: Flight delays hit major US airports amid FAA staffing woes
Transportation Secretary Duffy says controllers are looking for other sources of income
During Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" program, Duffy predicted that more air traffic controller shortages will lead to an increase in flight delays and cancellations over the next few days.
Air traffic controllers received a paycheck two weeks ago at 90% of their regular pay, but will miss their first full paycheck on Oct. 28. Controllers facing the prospect of missing a federal paycheck are looking for other sources of income, Duffy said.
"They're taking second jobs, they're out there looking," he said.
Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers must work even if they are not being paid during the shutdown. The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown.
Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Staffing shortage triggered a temporary ground stop at LAX
Source: “AOL General News”
