Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday that 53 percent of nationwide flight delays are now being attributed to air traffic controller staffing shortages, a sharp rise from an average of 5 percent before the current government shutdown.

Speaking on Fox Business, Duffy said roughly 10 percent of controllers have been calling in sick as the funding lapse continues, contributing to a wave of cancellations and extended ground holds at major airports.

“They do have to go to work,” Duffy said. “A small number can create this massive disruption across the system.”

The secretary’s comments followed reports earlier this week that several towers and radar centers have been short-staffed, including Burbank Airport’s tower, which went temporarily unstaffed Monday evening before operations

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