East Coast Hit By Flight Delays

Air traffic control tower
Photo credit Dreamstime

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS Radio) -- The Federal Aviation Administration Friday began limiting air traffic at several busy East Coast airports after staffing issues arose at two major air traffic control centers as the five-week-old government shutdown continued.

Flights into La Guardia Airport in New York were halted, while disruptions also occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and at Philadelphia International Airport.

The move came after staffing levels fell at enroute traffic control centers in Jacksonville, FL and Leesburg, VA.

#FAA Statement: Staffing Update pic.twitter.com/CMVcyTNSz5

— The FAA (@FAANews) January 25, 2019

The disruptions came a day after a joint statement from unions representing controllers, airline pilots and flight attendants raised concerns the government shutdown was eroding the margin of safety in air travel.