- The FAA on Monday night told passengers flying out of LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports to expect delays of two hours
- The delays have been caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers, the National Airspace System Status dashboard confirmed
- The FAA said that the shortage was 'unplanned', and the New York sector of air traffic control was to blame
- The shortage of air traffic controllers is not new: in June, Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center in Florida was 'understaffed for 27 of the last 30 days'
- The misery is set to continue: to hire 1,500 new air traffic controllers nationwide, starting next fiscal year - October 1
- New York passengers were facing a night of misery on Monday, as the Federal Aviation Authority announced there would be extensive delays at airports across the region due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.
As of 6pm Eastern Time, LaGuardia airport was hardest hit, with a 'ground stop' implemented for some air traffic control zones - meaning flights destined for the airport were not allowed to take off.
One woman tweeted a photo of an empty gate at JFK, and demanded information from the airport staff.
'@JetBlue, what the hell is this?!' she said.
'2.5 hrs & counting, & now even the desk operator at the gate has abandoned us.
'No explanation still about what's happening with 1719 JFK to Atlanta?! I had just ordered your credit card thinking that I'll frequent JetBlue & I am so regretting it!'
Another man tweeted: 'Well. My flight is canceled. Sat at JFK Terminal before someone at the airport told me it's canceled. Just got an email from LOT. Rescheduling flight for tomorrow.'
One passenger, arriving from Denver, complained that he had to wait an hour on the tarmac at Newark on Monday night before disembarking.
Another described the air space for New York as 'a black hole', while another blamed relaxing COVID rules, which increased the spread of the virus among staff.
A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) confirmed to DailyMail.com that the delay was due to staff shortages.
The National Airspace System Status dashboard showed that the issue was with air traffic controllers in the New York sector (ZNY), writing: 'COMMENTS: STOP IS FOR ZNY STAFFING'.
'Due to the availability of staff tonight, the FAA must reduce the flow of aircraft in certain airspace serving New York City to maintain safety,' said Tony Molinaro, FAA spokesman.
'Departure and arrival delays this evening could approach two hours at John F. Kennedy International, New York LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports.
'Passengers should prepare for delays, and monitor for updates. Please check with your airline for information about specific flights.'
The FAA tweeted: 'Due to unexpected staff availability tonight, the FAA must reduce the flow of aircraft around New York City to maintain safety.
'Evening delays may be 2 hrs at @JFKairport, @LGAairport & @EWRairport.