Travelers heading through Orlando International Airport (MCO) Thursday night were met with frustration after the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed widespread staffing issues leading to significant air traffic disruptions.<\/p>\n
Some passengers said they were forced to wait hours for updates. \u201cWe are with two children, so it\u2019s gonna be bad for us,\u201d said traveler Blanca Nieves, who was flying to Puerto Rico. \u201cOur flight is going to be two hours behind. They didn\u2019t say why, they said we will have to wait two more hours here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others in Central Florida were feeling the impact from afar. Orlando resident April Woods said her parents were stranded in Georgia after their flight to Orlando was delayed. \u201cMy parents let me know when they were in Atlanta that it was going to be a delayed flight because they did say it was because of air traffic controller,\u201d Woods said.<\/p>\n
According to the FAA, average delays reached 161 minutes Thursday for flights arriving and departing Orlando International. Officials cited staffing shortages, particularly among air traffic controllers, as the main cause.<\/p>\n
The disruptions come as thousands of TSA and FAA employees are working without pay or have been furloughed amid the ongoing government shutdown. Some of those employees were seen picketing outside MCO on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, our business is safety, and we will keep it safe,\u201d said Douglas Lowe, Regional Vice President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists. \u201cBut the impacts to the flying public will be delays as the shutdown continues on. Our message is pretty simple \u2013 the shutdown needs to end.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the holiday season approaches, travelers are growing increasingly anxious about what could come next. \u201cWe are going to Nebraska for Thanksgiving, so it could end up being a big impact to our family,\u201d Woods said. Lowe added, \u201cMy hope is that everyone comes together and recognizes that this shutdown is not healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FAA\u2019s advisory warning of extended wait times remains in effect until 3 a.m. Friday.<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n
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