More than 8,000 US flights delayed

Air traffic controller woes disrupt travel

- IDREES ALI DAVID SHEPARDSON

An Alaska Airlines jet takes off near the air traffic control tower at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday.

(GETTY IMAGES/AFP)

More than 8,000 flights were delayed across the US on Sunday as air traffic controller absences continued to disrupt travel and a federal government shutdown reached its 26th day.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration experienced air traffic control staffing issues at 22 locations on Saturday, and added additional shortages were expected to lead to more flight delays and cancellations in the days ahead.

According to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, there were more than 8,000 US flight delays by 11 pm ET on Sunday (11 am yesterday in Thailand), an increase from about 5,300 on Saturday. Delays have often been above average since the government shutdown began on Oct 1.