Staffing issues prompt temporary ground stop at LAX

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop at LAX Sunday morning due to staffing issues.

The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at one of the world’s busiest airports soon after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that travelers would see more flights delayed and canceled in the coming days as the nation’s air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown.

According to an LAX spokesperson, the order only applied for departing flights from Oakland due to staffing issues there.

The FAA said planes headed for Los Angeles were held at their originating airports starting at 8:42 a.m., causing delays averaging an hour and 40 minutes.

The ground stop was lifted just after 10:30 a.m., but might continue to restrict traffic into LAX. Even after flights resume, there will likely be delays, so travelers are encouraged to monitor their flight status.

Staffing shortages also caused takeoff and arrival disruptions Sunday at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport and Teteboro Airport, and at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida, according to the FAA.

The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.