The Federal Aviation Administration notified local officials in Nashville that flights in and out of BNA had to be reduced on Tuesday afternoon due to a shortage of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown. The slowdown is causing delays averaging about 126 minutes, according to the FAA.
Nashville is one of about a dozen airports to face similar staffing challenges. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed the nationwide disruptions on an increase in air traffic controllers — who are currently working without pay as a result of the government shutdown — calling in sick.
A similar shortage contributed to the end of the last government shutdown, nearly seven years ago, although the air traffic controller’s union denies playing any part in the slowdown of the nation’s airspace.
However, even without the shutdown, understaffing in air control towers has been a longstanding issue in many airports, as reported by NPR at Newark Liberty International Airport earlier this year.
The flight reduction in Nashville is in effect “until further notice” and travelers are urged to check the status of their flights before traveling through BNA.
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