WASHINGTON _ The Federal Aviation Administration says it has implemented ground stops for flights bound to New York's LaGuardia Airport due to air traffic control staffing issues, and departing flights were also facing delays.
The FAA said the "traffic management program" stopping inbound aircraft from flying to the New York City airport was implemented due to staffing problems on the 35th day of the partial government shutdown. The problems occurred at both the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center in Florida and the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center, which is located in Leesburg, Va.
"This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 41 minutes," the FAA notice said.
The FAA subsequently said that the staffing shortages in Leesburg were also affecting traffic at Philadelphia International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
It also said the departure delays were being caused by the staffing problems at the Leesburg facility.
Essential FAA personnel, including air traffic controllers, have been working without pay during the partial shutdown. The lapse in funding has also shuttered the Department of Transportation.
