Flight Delays Pile Up at Phoenix Sky Harbor Amid Staffing Shortages

(PHOENIX, ARIZONA) Flight delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor are stacking up Friday, with more than 100 flights delayed by Friday afternoon, October 11, 2025, as reduced staffing among air traffic controllers slows departures and arrivals. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has throttled the flow of traffic to keep operations safe during the ongoing United States 🇺🇸 government shutdown, which requires many air traffic controllers to work without pay. Passengers reported rolling delays and crowded gates as airlines pushed back scheduled departures throughout the day.

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, which both operate large schedules at Phoenix Sky Harbor, are seeing some of the most pronounced impacts. While only a handful of flights were canceled by mid-afternoon, delays were widespread and expected to extend into the evening. Similar disruptions were reported earlier in the week on Tuesday, October 7, and have continued as staffing pressures persist. Phoenix was one of four airports flagged by the FAA for possible delay impacts tied to controller shortages, with eight regional air traffic centers also affected.

Airport concourses filled early with travelers who said they had never seen hold times stretch this long at Phoenix Sky Harbor. Screens updated frequently, but many passengers saw departure times bump repeatedly by 15 to 45 minutes, sometimes longer. Families on fall trips, business travelers trying to make meetings, and international passengers connecting onward all described a mix of patience and rising frustration. Several said they tried to rebook, but seats were tight on later flights because airline networks were already operating near capacity.

The FAA confirmed that traffic management steps were in effect to balance safety with available staffing. These measures often include miles-in-trail spacing, ground delay programs, and controlled departure times, all of which increase pad time on the ground and in the air. While the bulk of operations continue, those changes ripple across nearby airports and can stack delays throughout the day, especially when early slowdowns compress the schedule. Officials said the situation remains fluid and that delays could continue for several hours, especially if thunderstorms, wind shifts, or other routine weather issues intersect with staffing shortfalls.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, controller staffing gaps have been a recurring pressure point during past shutdowns. During the 2018–2019 lapse in funding, several major airports saw similar ground slowdowns as the FAA adjusted traffic for safety. Phoenix Sky Harbor has typically handled these periods with resilience, but a “slight tick up” in sick calls among controllers this week—reported by agency officials—has made it harder to keep traffic moving on schedule. That added strain has been enough to turn standard rush periods into rolling backups across the day’s flight banks.

FAA response and status at Phoenix Sky Harbor

FAA advisories on Friday listed Phoenix among a small group of major airports with potential staffing-related constraints, a designation that signals airlines and pilots to expect spacing and departure flow controls. The agency emphasized that safety remains the top priority, and with fewer air traffic controllers available, the system must run at a slower pace.

Eight regional air traffic centers that manage high-altitude traffic also reported staffing effects, increasing the number of flights that could face downstream delays before they arrive in Arizona. These upstream impacts help explain why some flights are delayed at Phoenix even when local weather and runways are clear.

Airline representatives said crews were working to reduce knock-on disruptions. When possible, carriers are:

• Swapping aircraft to match capacity
• Accelerating turn times at gates
• Holding connections briefly to protect passenger itineraries

However, once the FAA sets a ground delay program or tightens spacing, airlines must comply. That means some flights will sit at the gate or on the taxiway longer than usual, even when weather looks clear.

Travelers flying today should continue to watch their airline apps and airport displays closely. Many carriers will send push alerts when a flight is delayed beyond a set threshold, but times can change again as traffic managers adjust the flow. The FAA’s public advisory portal for delays and flow programs is also available for real-time context on national and local traffic management steps; passengers can check the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center advisories for broad system status.

What travelers can do today

For people with flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor, prepare for extended wait times and plan for a slower day at the airport. Practical steps can help:

• Check your flight status often. Use your airline’s app or website to confirm your gate and departure time. Status can shift several times before boarding.
• Arrive early. Plan for at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, as lines may move slower during busy periods.
• Know your options. If your delay threatens a tight connection, contact your airline through the app or at a staffed counter to explore rebooking on later flights.
• Monitor connection windows. If you’re connecting at another hub, consider whether your layover can handle a 60–90 minute push. Ask about through-checking baggage if you’re rebooked.
• Be prepared at security. Keep IDs, boarding passes, and carry-on items organized to move faster through screening during peak times.
• Plan for kids and medical needs. Pack snacks, chargers, and any medications in your carry-on in case you spend longer at the gate or on the tarmac.

Airport officials and airlines said they expect delays to last for several hours and may worsen if the shutdown continues. By mid-afternoon, the runway environment remained clear, but the flow restrictions kept the system limited. As evening banks build, gate holds can push crews into duty-time limits, raising the risk of additional shuffles, though widespread cancellations were not reported by that hour.

For international travelers and families meeting relatives, the timing matters. Late departures can push arrivals closer to midnight, complicating ground transport and hotel check-ins. Some travelers reported shifting to ride-share for flexibility, while others opted to stay near the airport in case their flight moved earlier than expected or if a late-night arrival made a long drive less safe.

Why flights distant from Phoenix can still be affected

Delays tied to controller staffing aren’t always local. Because air traffic is managed across sectors and regions, staffing shortfalls at any one of the eight affected regional air traffic centers can ripple into Phoenix operations.

• A flight routed through a constrained center may be delayed before it reaches Phoenix.
• Spacing requirements and miles-in-trail rules force a slower overall tempo, even with calm weather.
• Early slowdowns compress schedules and make later flights harder to recover.

Officials urged patience and reminded travelers that the slower pace is designed to keep aircraft safely separated. The aim is to avoid airborne holding and excessive taxi times when possible by adjusting the rate at which flights enter the system. For most passengers, that translates to longer waits at the gate, slower boarding groups, and a less predictable departure clock.

Important: Phoenix Sky Harbor remains open, but flight delays tied to air traffic controllers working without pay are likely to persist into the evening if the shutdown continues.

As the day continues, passengers should keep an eye on their airline communication channels and the Phoenix Sky Harbor website for airport-specific notices. If the government shutdown persists, FAA managers signaled that the current measures would remain in place, with adjustments made day-by-day. For now, the message is clear: expect longer waits and plan accordingly.