Flight disruptions continue as air traffic controllers prepare for their first full missing pay check

There was significant disruption to flights at airports across the country on Monday due to shortage of air traffic controllers. Los Angeles International AirportWhere a day earlier the flights were stopped for a short time due to staffing problem.

Federal Aviation Administration Staffing-related delays averaging about 20 minutes were reported at the airport on Monday afternoon dallaswhile in the airport Austin, texasDelays of about 40 minutes were seen after the FAA issued a temporary ground stop there for about an hour, which was lifted around 4:15 pm local time.

Earlier on Monday, flights at LAX were delayed by an average of about 25 minutes. On Sunday, the FAA issued a ground stop at LAX for about two hours, meaning planes bound for Los Angeles were grounded at their origin airports until it was lifted. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said about 72% of scheduled flights at LAX on Sunday took off within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure times.

The disruption comes as the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 approaches one month.

Just last week, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that travelers would see more flights delayed and canceled as the country’s air traffic controllers are working without pay during the shutdown.

During a weekend appearance on the Fox News program “Sunday Morning Futures,” Duffy said more controllers are falling sick as money worries add to the stress of an already challenging job.

“And that’s a sign that regulators are weakening,” Duffy said.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said Monday that most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, as its members prepare for their first full missing pay on Tuesday. Unless controllers call in sick to the FAA, there is little time left for additional work.

Union members were expected to gather at major airports across the US on Tuesday, including New York City and Atlanta, to distribute leaflets to passengers detailing the negative impact the shutdown is having on the national aviation system and the workers who keep it running safely.