Government Shutdown Causes FAA Staffing Shortages, Grounds Flights at LAX Amid Nationwide Air Travel Disruptions

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) due to a critical shortage of air traffic controllers caused by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. This staffing crisis, which has left thousands of controllers and TSA officers working without pay, resulted in significant flight delays averaging around 49 minutes, with some delays reaching up to 87 minutes. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that flight disruptions would likely increase as the shutdown continues, highlighting 22 recent "staffing triggers" indicating that controllers are becoming increasingly overworked. The shortage has also affected other airports in Southern California and New Jersey, with some control towers temporarily unmanned. The shutdown's impact on essential services has deepened political divides, with Democrats blaming Republicans for the stalemate and Republicans emphasizing the shutdown's effect on critical infrastructure. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the Trump administration's handling of the situation, underscoring the broader tensions surrounding the shutdown's consequences on air travel safety and efficiency.