FAA issues ground delay advisory for Phoenix Sky Harbor due to staffing

PHOENIX – Staffing shortages caused significant delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Tuesday, officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground delay advisory for Sky Harbor, with an average length of nearly an hour.

As of 10:30 a.m., the Phoenix airport’s website showed approximately 100 delayed departures on the day, while the FlightAware flight-tracking website listed nearly 150 delays for flights into or out of Sky Harbor.

Government shutdown causing ground delays, other disruptions

A Sky Harbor spokesman encouraged passengers to monitor their flight status before leaving for the airport and leave plenty of time to get through security.

The Phoenix airport maintains a webpage that shows current security wait times.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been warning about a rise in flight disruptions as the government shutdown continues.

The FAA said last week that nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay for weeks.

“As we continue to reiterate, we will never compromise on safety. When staffing shortages occur, the FAA will reduce the flow of air traffic to maintain safety. This may result in delays or cancellations,” the agency said Friday on X.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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