Orlando International Airport flights delayed hours over staffing issues, FAA says

Government shutdown delays hit MCO: FAA

Flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) are being delayed hours on Thursday night due to FAA staffing issues, according to the FAA website.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) were delayed for hours on Thursday night due to FAA staffing issues, according to the FAA's National Airspace System website.

The FAA implemented a ground delay program at MCO for much of Thursday afternoon and evening. It appeared to be lifted around 10 p.m.

The average flight delay appeared to be a little more than 2.5 hours, according to the FAA's map. At one point, the maximum delay was listed at 714 minutes, a nearly 12-hour delay.

More than a dozen flights were delayed or canceled, according to Orlando International Airport's flight status web page.

It comes amid the government shutdown, which has pitted Republicans and Democrats against each other. The shutdown began on Oct. 1, marking 29 days on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Here are the latest updates:

Ground delay program lifted: FAA

The FAA's ground delay program appeared to have been lifted around 10 p.m., according to the FAA's National Airspace web page.

FOX 35 did reach out to MCO and the FAA for updates.

Ground delay programs are implemented for a variety of reasons, which can slow or stop flights coming to or departing from a specific airport. Various reasons for a ground delay program such as too much air traffic, weather and thunderstorms, or staffing.

MCO issues statement

What they're saying:

"The FAA has issued a ground delay for Orlando International Airport due to FAA staffing issues. The ground delay program has reduced the rate of arrivals at the airport and passengers may experience delays on average of 2 1/2 hours.

Please contact your airline for individual flight information. We appreciate your patience during this busy travel period." - Rod Johnson, spokesperson for MCO.

How to check flight status

To check the status of your flight, officials recommend checking with the airline directly:

• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue
• Spirit Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United 

FAA advisory: Impacts between 10 p.m. and 2:59 a.m.

8PM | The FAA's National Airspace System Status said MCO was under a ground delay, expected to last between 10 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. The average flight delay was listed at 161 minutes (more than 2 hours). 

The reason: Staffing. 

More airports on ground delays

Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey both listed delays due to staffing, according to the FAA's map.

The average delay at Teterboro Airport was listed at 346 minutes, or five hours. DCA reported potential flight delays as long as nearly 5 hours. However, an update said the alert had been canceled.