Trouble in the skies

The already unsettled skies likely will grow less friendly to air travelers in the coming days and into the holiday season.

The nation's now fragile, extraordinarily complex and critically important air traffic control system already was facing severe staffing shortages, technological shortcomings and safety concerns. Add in the ongoing government shutdown — and the risks of it being grounded increase.

The Federal Aviation Administration said this week that it plans to reduce flight capacity by 4%, a figure that could increase daily,  in 40 markets, likely including New York, to relieve staffing pressures. United Airlines is already offering to refund previously nonrefundable flights. 

Air traffic controllers have always worked under difficult conditions. Over the last year, vacancies and old equipment have made their jobs even tougher. Now, they're doing so without pay. According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the circumstances have led to a shortage of as many as 3,000 controllers.

Since last weekend, thousands of flights have been delayed due in part to extreme staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and other key positions. And New York is at the center of a lot of it, as there've been massive disruptions, including ground stops, delays and cancellations, at Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports. Staffing isn't the only reason — but it’s certainly a key factor. On top of the headaches for travelers and the economic repercussions for businesses, the shutdown particularly impacts areas like Long Island that host air traffic facilities like New York Terminal Radar Approach Control, or TRACON, where so many workers and so much equipment is based.

And the situation may quickly worsen.

Duffy has said that by next week, a continued shutdown could result in "mass chaos" within the air traffic system. And, he warned, there'd be "more risk in the system," too.

Those are ominous words. Such turmoil comes at one of the busiest travel times of year as the holiday season approaches. Beyond the frustration for travelers, the damage could ripple through the economy both locally and nationally in seismic ways. And, to Duffy's point, staffing limitations could have more severe implications on airplane safety.

Duffy, like everyone, is playing a bit of a political game, blaming Democrats for the shutdown. Such finger pointing isn't going to solve anything. But continued tumult in the industry, and the potential for further flight delays and cancellations, should be enough to coax both parties to the negotiating table to find a way to end the shutdown.

New York remains one of the nation's most dominant and complicated air traffic hubs. The region's congressional representatives should take the lead in understanding the critical moment we're in now and finding a way forward. That's the best way to ensure a safe landing for this troubling situation.