Staffing shortages continue to affect air freight operations and customs processing
Since October 6, thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed due to the emerging workers shortage. About 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are being asked to continue reporting to work without pay, many of whom are misusing sick leave to refuse unpaid work despite being deemed essential.
During the first week of the shutdown, staffing shortages and flight delays were reported at major airports in Dallas, Newark, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Chicago, and at some regional U.S. airports like Hollywood Burbank Airport and Nashville International Airport.
Further disruptions were confirmed at Orlando International, Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Charlotte Douglas International, and Austin-Bergstrom International airports. In Austin, a 5-hour ground stop occurred on October 13 due to an air traffic controller shortage, and nearly 2,200 flights have been delayed in the first two weeks of the shutdown in Charlotte for the same reason.
Adverse weather compounds staffing shortages
Newest developments show that staffing issues have improved over the last several days across some affected airports, though air traffic controller shortages continue to disrupt flight operations in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and Newark.
At the time of reporting, over 20% of U.S. flights operated by American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are experiencing delays due to a combination of personnel deficits and adverse weather conditions. In addition, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that it will slow air traffic further at the most affected airports in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles should the staffing issues persist.
In addition to the operational inefficiencies prompted by the shutdown, aviation safety remains a concern as new aircraft certifications are frozen, preventing the replacement of outdated aircraft and equipment.
Customs processing also remains vulnerable to heightened disruption should the shutdown continue to mandate unpaid work. Of the impacted TSA agents, many are responsible for screening cargo bound for passenger belly or freight only flights. Notably, airports in Memphis, Tennessee and Louisville, Kentucky have reported that their cargo-focused TSA agents have been sent to work without pay, marking a vulnerability to staffing shortages should workers decide to refuse work.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed on October 1 that the agency remains operational for cargo movement, with all ports of entry being adequately staffed and only non-essential functions suspended. However, thousands of support staff are furloughed, delaying inspections and increasing customs clearance times. Though President Trump announced that CBP agents will receive their salaries this month, support personnel are not included in this guarantee which will likely mean prolonged bottlenecks and disruptions.
Importers of perishable goods like food products and pharmaceuticals remain most vulnerable given their sensitive cargo and the unpredictable processing times. On October 9, delays of up to six hours were reported at the Ciudad Juárez-El Paso border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico, critical for U.S. agricultural imports of tomatoes, avocados, and berries from Mexico. At the time of reporting, delays have still not been reported at U.S.-Canada border checkpoints.
Everstream clients are receiving more detailed insights and recommendations about this risk.
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