Arrivals to Orlando International Airport are facing significant ground delays, averaging 161 minutes, due to staffing issues, according to the Federal Aviation Administration National Airspace System Status Page.The delays were expected to begin at 10 p.m. and continue until about 3 a.m. on Friday.An air traffic control advisory on the FAA website Thursday said users could expect a period of time later in the evening Thursday when “no arrivals will be able to land as there will be no certified air traffic controllers available at MCO.”The FAA advisory says that all U.S. departures will be affected. It comes as air traffic controllers are working without pay during the government shutdown. For one MCO traveler, the first sign that something was wrong was when he tried to load his ticket. “At first it was showing me 7:40, then all of a sudden it changed and it couldn’t show it anymore,” said Joseph Gatzby, who was trying to get home to Atlanta. Then, another issue came when he went to check his bag, “They were telling me that it’s been canceled do to air traffic,” He said. “People aren’t showing up for work or whatever, which is scary.”Air traffic controllers said Wednesday between the stress of no pay and staffing shortages, when safety is at risk, there’s no choice but to slow things down at the airport. That means delays, that means ground stops, that means cancellations. Nobody goes to work wanting to delay a flight. Nobody. But nobody also wants to go to work and not get paid,” said Dan McCabe with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Their missed paycheck on Tuesday means air traffic controllers have been working weeks without pay. And there isn’t an end to the shutdown in sight. “I was frustrated until I found out it was due to air traffic being short,” Gatzby said. “I’m like, no I’m cool. You know, it’s about being safe, you know what I’m saying. If people aren’t being paid, that’s not cool either.”We have reached out to the airport for an update on this situation. Statement from Greater Orlando Aviation AuthorityThe FAA has issued a ground delay for Orlando International Airport due to FAA staffing issues. The ground delay program has reduced the rate of arrivals at the airport and passengers may experience delays on average of 2 1/2 hours.Please contact your airline for individual flight information. We appreciate your patience during this busy travel period.Assistant Vice President (AVP), Public Affairs, Rod Johnson.Track a flight
Arrivals to Orlando International Airport are facing significant ground delays, averaging 161 minutes, due to staffing issues, according to the Federal Aviation Administration National Airspace System Status Page.
The delays were expected to begin at 10 p.m. and continue until about 3 a.m. on Friday.
An air traffic control advisory on the FAA website Thursday said users could expect a period of time later in the evening Thursday when “no arrivals will be able to land as there will be no certified air traffic controllers available at MCO.”
The FAA advisory says that all U.S. departures will be affected.
It comes as air traffic controllers are working without pay during the government shutdown.
For one MCO traveler, the first sign that something was wrong was when he tried to load his ticket.
“At first it was showing me 7:40, then all of a sudden it changed and it couldn’t show it anymore,” said Joseph Gatzby, who was trying to get home to Atlanta.
Then, another issue came when he went to check his bag,
“They were telling me that it’s been canceled do to air traffic,” He said. “People aren’t showing up for work or whatever, which is scary.”
Air traffic controllers said Wednesday between the stress of no pay and staffing shortages, when safety is at risk, there’s no choice but to slow things down at the airport.
That means delays, that means ground stops, that means cancellations. Nobody goes to work wanting to delay a flight. Nobody. But nobody also wants to go to work and not get paid,” said Dan McCabe with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
Their missed paycheck on Tuesday means air traffic controllers have been working weeks without pay. And there isn’t an end to the shutdown in sight.
“I was frustrated until I found out it was due to air traffic being short,” Gatzby said. “I’m like, no I’m cool. You know, it’s about being safe, you know what I’m saying. If people aren’t being paid, that’s not cool either.”
We have reached out to the airport for an update on this situation.
Statement from Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
The FAA has issued a ground delay for Orlando International Airport due to FAA staffing issues. The ground delay program has reduced the rate of arrivals at the airport and passengers may experience delays on average of 2 1/2 hours.
Please contact your airline for individual flight information. We appreciate your patience during this busy travel period.
Assistant Vice President (AVP), Public Affairs, Rod Johnson.