CLT flight delays near 6,000 in fed shutdown. Potential for new ‘chaos’ next week
As the government shutdown lumbers into its second month, the number of flight delays at Charlotte’s airport during that time is approaching 6,000. And passengers may feel even more stress next week if the U.S. Department of Transportation closes airspace over some regions of the country.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday there will be “mass chaos” behind flight delays and cancellations due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, along with airspace restrictions, multiple news outlets reported. His statement comes as Republicans and Democrats continue to jostle over who is to blame for the shutdown.
Since Nov. 1, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has seen close to 700 delays, according to a Charlotte Observer review of data from FlightAware, a website providing real-time flight information. On Wednesday through 6:30 p.m., there were 54 delays.
Last month, CLT had more than 5,000 delays. Now the airport is closing in on 6,000.
No paychecks for air traffic controllers
The shutdown began Oct. 1 after Congress couldn’t agree on a plan to fund government agencies. Last Tuesday marked the first zero-dollar paycheck sent to air traffic controllers, who are still mandated to work.
Union members from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association handed out leaflets on that day, part of organized informational campaigns at nearly 20 airports nationwide.
About 50% of major air traffic control facilities are facing staffing shortages, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, ABC News reported.
Charlotte airport leaders did not make anyone available to speak with The Charlotte Observer about the impact of mounting delays or the potential airspace closure and how the airport might prepare for that.
Last week, Charlotte airport officials said they were not experiencing any immediate impact to their operations, which they have repeatedly stated throughout the shutdown.
But the shutdown appears to be having affects on airports throughout the country, Philadelphia International Airport announced that it’s temporary closing two checkpoints starting Wednesday as the shutdown continues.
Charlotte Douglas is the sixth-busiest airport in the world for takeoffs and landings. American Airlines is the dominant carrier at CLT, accounting for about 90% of the traffic. Like Charlotte Douglas, American Airlines said the company was not having major impacts on airline operations, according to an American spokesperson.
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 11:53 AM.
