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Government shutdown flight delays: Travelers across the United States faced mounting flight delays on Thursday, as multiple major airports reported departures running behind schedule, as per a report. Airports in New York to California and Florida, see delays that continue to climb throughout the day, as per the Daily Mail report.

LaGuardia Airport and Philadelphia Airport Among the Hardest Hit

At LaGuardia Airport in New York, flights were averaging 30-minute delays, while Philadelphia International Airport saw delays around 15 minutes, as per the report. Officials attributed the disruptions to “compacted demand,” a situation that arises when too many flights attempt to depart in the same window, forcing air traffic controllers to space them out for safety, as per the Daily Mail.

Florida Airports Report Delays Due to Traffic Management

In Florida, Tampa and Miami International Airports reported 15-minute delays due to traffic management initiatives designed to safely space flights through congested airspace, as per the report. Newark Liberty International Airport experienced similar delays caused by “multi-taxi” congestion, which occurs when multiple aircraft try to use the same taxiways and runways simultaneously, as per the Daily Mail report.

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San Francisco Flights Delayed Due to Cloud Cover

Flights to San Francisco International Airport were particularly affected, with departures delayed by an average of 38 minutes between 11:30 a.m. and 6:59 p.m. ET, due to clouds covering more than half the sky, as per the report. The FAA said that, crowded departure times can also be worsened by peak scheduling, earlier delays, and ripple effects from nearby airports.

LaGuardia Airport Operating at Limited Arrival Capacity

LaGuardia is currently operating with arrivals on Runway 31 using RNAV procedures and departures from Runway 04, accommodating an arrival capacity of 37 planes per hour under current conditions, as per the Daily Mail report. Some travelers have taken to social media to voice frustrations, with one user on X describing their experience as, “This plane is a prison,” as quoted in the report.

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Orlando irport Added to FAA’s Delay List Along With Boston Logan Airport

Orlando International Airport was added to the FAA’s list of delayed airports around 11:36 a.m., reporting delays up to 30 minutes and increasing due to traffic management initiatives, as per the Daily Mail report. The airport is operating with arrivals on Runways 36R and 35R, and departures on Runways 36R and 35L, with an arrival capacity of 65 planes per hour, as per the report.

Boston Logan International Airport also faced delays, with arrivals between 1:00 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. affected by runway and taxiway construction, as per the Daily Mail report. Average delays were reported at 48 minutes, with maximum delays reaching 132 minutes, as per Daily Mail.

Ongoing Government Shutdown Adds to Travel Chaos

Thursday’s disruptions follow several days of travel chaos at US airports, linked to air traffic control staff calling in sick during the ongoing government shutdown, as per the Daily Mail report.

FAQs

What caused delays at LaGuardia Airport?
LaGuardia faced 30-minute delays due to compacted demand and heavy scheduling, as per the Daily Mail report.

Why are so many US flights delayed today?
Many delays are due to compacted demand, weather conditions, and airspace congestion, as per the Daily Mail report.