US Budget Impasse Causes Flight Delays

April 23, 2013

Flight delays are affecting air travel at U.S. airports as federal aviation officials reduce hours for about 15,000 air traffic controllers. The move is part of the automatic budget cuts known as the sequester that is affecting nearly every federal government agency.

At some of America's busiest airports, flight delays and cancelations are mounting. Travelers are frustrated.

Flight delays are becoming more common since government budget cuts reduced staffing at airport control towers. Lawmakers from both political parties are blaming each other for the cuts.

Michael Huerta heads the Federal Aviation Administration. He told a congressional committee that the agency had to cut staff in airport towers to achieve $220 million in savings.

"In order to comply with the sequester [forced budget cuts] law, we have to take these actions," said Huerta.

With fewer people directing take-offs and landings, fewer planes are able to fly in and out of airports. Transportation officials says 6,700 flights a day could be delayed.

"It is like equating it to [highway] tollbooths. If you have 10 tollbooths and you only open eight, you are going to have delays," said Air Traffic Controller Victor Santore.

Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood said the situation is a calamity, but air travelers are safe.