NBC New York reports:
A ground stop has been ordered at LaGuardia airport due to staffing related issues, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday. The stop was ordered shortly before 10 a.m. Some arriving flights are also being delayed. The government shutdown has entered its 35th day, the longest federal shutdown over.
CNN reports that Newark and Philadelphia are also affected.
Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Aviation Analyst George Ferguson:
“The FAA halt of flights into LaGuardia confirms rising risks for U.S. airlines’ 1Q results. Flight and security delays will reduce demand for air travel, and that’s going to require discounts to attract passengers. Profit and margin pain will follow.”
All three networks now covering LGA ground stop (though Fox’s take is “Obama shut down the national parks and Trump is willing to negotiate but Dems aren’t”) pic.twitter.com/wtbb5H2woW
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) January 25, 2019
Minutes ago…
#FAA Statement: Staffing Update pic.twitter.com/CMVcyTNSz5
— The FAA (@FAANews) January 25, 2019
An Administration official tells me President Trump has been briefed on flight halts at LaGuardia. Asked if there’s an effort to get planes moving again, official said: “We’re working on it right now.” Official is “Not aware of any heads up” in advance from the FAA to the WH.
— Eamon Javers (@EamonJavers) January 25, 2019
That is a joke. There is nothing to “work on”.
All the planes in the sky right now from North Carolina to New York. The people in charge of keeping these planes separated on the ground and in the air have not been paid for a month. pic.twitter.com/QOccYZ00TG
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 25, 2019
Update: LGA ground stop (stopping flights heading TO the airport) now lifted, per FAA. 60-90 minute delays still widespread
— Ram Ramgopal (@RamCNN) January 25, 2019
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Nelson on FAA staffing shortages: "This is exactly what AFA and other aviation unions have been warning would happen. The aviation system depends on the safety professionals who make it run." pic.twitter.com/wKQrqd6NQW
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 25, 2019