LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Flights across the country headed to Las Vegas were delayed Sunday due to staffing shortages in the Air Traffic Control Tower at Harry Reid International Airport.
Most delays were at least an hour, according to the airport’s flight arrival board. Flights from cities including Cleveland, St. Louis, Asheville and Oakland were affected.
One pilot apologized to passengers in San Francisco as they waited to take off.
“They’ll probably let us go at about 11 o’clock. That’s what we’re expecting to actually be wheels up departure for Las Vegas, even though we’re going to be on the gate just here a few minutes before then. Go sit somewhere waiting around the airport,” the pilot explained. “Thanks for your understanding with the delay and the air traffic controller situation over there.”
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The FAA posted a notice on its website from the Air Traffic Control System Command Center stating: “Due to STAFFING… there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, NV (LAS). This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 1 hour and 3 minutes.”
Flights were not allowed to arrive at the airport on time and were spread out to help air traffic controllers. The FAA said the traffic management program delaying arriving flights to Harry Reid could also impact departing flights.
Harry Reid International Airport shared a statement: “I can confirm that there were staffing shortages in the Air Traffic Control Tower yesterday, June 7, which caused some delays at LAS. For details on the staffing shortages, you will need to reach out to the FAA.”
FOX5 reached out to the FAA Monday. They have not responded to requests for comment about whether the staffing shortage could happen again.
However, FOX5 Investigates talked to an industry expert about air traffic controller shortages across the country and in Las Vegas, and what it will take to get more trained controllers. You can watch that report here.
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