US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

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AFP

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Departures were grounded at New York’s LaGuardia airport

There are reports of widespread delays at US airports due to shortages of air traffic control staff linked to the US government shutdown. “In our risk averse industry, we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break,” air traffic, pilot and flight attendant union leaders said in a joint statement. In a statement, the FAA said a “slight increase” in sick leave absences at two air traffic control facilities had led to the schedule changes – which it said was to ensure safety levels were maintained.

Source: www.bbc.com