---
title: "Flight delays soar past 1,660 as government shutdown hits Day 27"
description: "Air travel disruptions escalate as over 1,660 flights were delayed on Monday, following more than 8,600 delays on Sunday, due to a federal government shutdown entering its 27th day. Staffing shortages"
type: "news"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/262933130.md"
published_at: "2025-10-27T15:18:44.000Z"
---

# Flight delays soar past 1,660 as government shutdown hits Day 27

> Air travel disruptions escalate as over 1,660 flights were delayed on Monday, following more than 8,600 delays on Sunday, due to a federal government shutdown entering its 27th day. Staffing shortages, particularly among air traffic controllers, have significantly impacted operations, with 44% of delays attributed to controller absences. Major airlines like Southwest, American, United, and Delta reported substantial delays. The situation is increasing public frustration and pressuring lawmakers to address the ongoing budget impasse.

(Updates with additional numbers, paragraphs 3-6)

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Air travel turmoil deepened with more than 1,660 flights delayed nationwide on Monday and more than 8,600 delays on Sunday, with air traffic controller absences surging amid a federal government shutdown now in its 27th day.

The Federal Aviation Administration cited staffing shortages affecting flights across the Southeast and at Newark Airport in New Jersey, while the FAA imposed a ground delay at Los Angeles International that delayed flights by an average of 25 minutes.

Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) had 45%, or 2,000, of its flights delayed on Sunday, while American Airlines (AAL.O) had nearly 1,200, or a third, of its flights delayed, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website. United Airlines (UAL.O) had 24%, or 739, of its flights delayed and Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) had 17%, or 610, of its flights delayed.

A U.S. Department of Transportation official said 44% of Sunday’s delays stemmed from controller absences — up sharply from the usual 5%.

Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers must work without pay and will miss their first full paycheck on Tuesday.

The mounting delays and cancellations are fueling public frustration and intensifying scrutiny of the shutdown’s impact, raising pressure on lawmakers to resolve the budget impasse.

### Related Stocks

- [UAL.US - United Airlines](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UAL.US.md)
- [AAL.US - American Airlines](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAL.US.md)
- [LUV.US - Southwest Airlines](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/LUV.US.md)
- [DAL.US - Delta Air Lines](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DAL.US.md)

## Related News & Research

| Title | Description | URL |
|-------|-------------|-----|
| FOCUS-American Airlines unions ratchet up pressure on board over lagging profit | Unions at American Airlines are increasing pressure on the board over the airline's lagging profitability compared to De | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275742849.md) |
| Southwest Airlines Adding Starlink Across Its Fleet Starting Summer 2026 | Southwest Airlines will implement SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service across its fleet starting in summer 2026. | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275778857.md) |
| American Airlines seeks approval to operate US flights to Venezeula | American Airlines is seeking approval to operate flights from Miami to Caracas and Maracaibo in Venezuela through its re | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275934426.md) |
| United Airlines Invests $100 Million in Azul SA Through Share Subscription | United Airlines has invested $100 million in Azul S.A., following approval from Brazil's Administrative Council for Econ | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275667170.md) |
| Union’s No Confidence Vote Puts American Airlines Leadership And Valuation Under Scrutiny | The Association of Professional Flight Attendants has issued a unanimous no confidence vote in American Airlines CEO Rob | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275899641.md) |

---

> **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.