Passengers traveling from all three major tri-state area airports faced delays Monday night as airline disruptions continue to be a cruel summer theme.
The Federal Aviation Administration warned in a tweet Monday around 5 p.m. that delays could be around two hours at JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Airport. The FAA blamed the issues on “unexpected staff availability.”
“Due to unexpected staff availability tonight, the FAA must reduce the flow of aircraft around New York City to maintain safety,” the tweet said. “Evening delays may be 2 hrs at @JFKairport, @LGAairport & EWRairport. Check fly.faa.gov for updates and w/ your airline for flight info.”
In a follow-up tweet shortly after 9 p.m., the FAA, “New York City airspace now has some additional staffing” allowing for ground delays to be called off at JFK and Newark.
“It’s unusual to see the anticipated delays verbalized as due to lack of staff availability,” Kathleen Bangs, a spokesperson for the tracking group FlightAware.com, told NBC News in an email.
The FAA announcement is the latest complication for the airline industry that’s struggled all summer long, leading to delayed and canceled flights for passengers ready to hop on planes as the concern over COVID wanes.