A ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday afternoon forced a 75-minute suspension of flights, according to reports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted operations from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., with delays persisting at roughly 40 minutes after the pause. A ground delay remained in effect through 11 p.m.

The disruption followed staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, who missed paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concern over the impact on operations, noting that stressed controllers were increasingly calling out sick. The FAA has imposed restrictions on flight activity at airports experiencing controller shortfalls to maintain safety.

Recent delays have escalated, with 44% of Sunday’s flight disruptions and 24% on Monday attributed to staffing issues, a sharp rise from previous levels. Controllers have reported taking second jobs or missing work to manage financial pressures. The FAA has reduced flights at Newark in recent months to alleviate strain, but challenges persist amid broader operational hurdles.

The situation highlights growing instability in air traffic management, with disruptions affecting multiple hubs across the country.