The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Friday that air traffic control staffing shortages have caused travel delays for the fifth consecutive day, as major U.S. airlines asked passengers to remain patient amid the ongoing government shutdown.

22,000 flights delayed

On Friday alone, over 6,400 flights were delayed and 470 were cancelled, adding to the 22,000 delays reported since Monday, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.

The FAA said late on Friday it was experiencing staffing issues in Chicago, New York, Newark, San Diego, Dallas, Washington and Phoenix, among other airports. A temporary evacuation of the Atlanta air traffic control tower Friday due to a fire alarm and reports of a strong natural gas odor also snarled flights, Reuters reported.

Airlines were urgi

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