Federal Shutdown Forces Temporary Flight Halt at LAX

Flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were temporarily stopped Sunday due to a staffing shortage at a key air traffic control facility in Southern California. The FAA issued a ground stop at 11:42 a.m. Eastern, lifted by 1:30 p.m.

The disruption comes amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has left many air traffic controllers working without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that further travel disruptions could occur as more controllers call in sick.

The staffing shortages are affecting airports nationwide, including Chicago O’Hare, Reagan Washington National, Newark Liberty International, and Fort Myers, Florida.

Travelers are facing delays as the shutdown strains the nation’s air travel infrastructure. Officials emphasize that the incident at LAX highlights the real-world consequences of prolonged government funding gaps.