**Staffing Shortages Cause Significant Delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport**

PHOENIX — Staffing shortages led to significant delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Tuesday, officials reported.

The airport’s website showed approximately 70 delayed departures throughout the day, while the flight-tracking site FlightAware listed 94 delays for flights arriving at or departing from Sky Harbor.

**Government Shutdown Impact**

The ongoing government shutdown has caused ground delays and other operational disruptions at the airport. A Sky Harbor spokesperson advised passengers to monitor their flight status closely before heading to the airport and to allow extra time to get through security checkpoints.

To assist travelers, Phoenix Sky Harbor maintains a webpage displaying current security wait times, helping passengers plan accordingly.

**FAA and Safety Measures**

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned of an increase in flight disruptions as the government shutdown continues. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay for several 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 stated on Friday via its X social media account.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://ktar.com/arizona-news/ground-delay-sky-harbor-staffing/5770415/