Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport starts week with widespread flight disruptions

PHOENIX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport started the workweek with widespread travel disruptions after airlines were required to cut flights due to staffing shortages related to the government shutdown.

As of 10:15 a.m. Monday, the Sky Harbor website showed 90 cancellations and 410 delays for flights scheduled throughout the day. The numbers were fluctuating throughout the morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced last week that air travel in 40 high-volume airports, including Phoenix, will be reduced due to the amount of air traffic controllers calling out of work during the shutdown.

Airlines were required to eliminate 4% of flights over the weekend, 6% by Tuesday and 10% by the end of this week.

The Senate took a step toward ending the shutdown on Sunday night, but final passage could still be several days away. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said flight cuts will remain in place until safety metrics improve, even after the shutdown ends.

Controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Most work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to help cover bills and other expenses unless they call out.

Sky Harbor already was feeling affect of shutdown

Sky Harbor and other hubs have been placed under general aviation traffic closures, but those don’t impact commercial passenger flights or security checkpoint operations.

Staffing shortages already caused multiple ground delays in Phoenix before the FAA announced the flight cuts.

Sky Harbor officials have been encouraging passengers to monitor their flight status before leaving for the airport and leave plenty of time to get through security.

Sky Harbor was the 15th busiest airport in the U.S. by passengers boarded in 2024, according to Bureau of Transportation statistics.

The FAA website has a page showing ground delays, ground stops and closures for airports across the U.S.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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