PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Even if the government shutdown ends on Wednesday, flight cancellations will continue due to ongoing air traffic controller shortages, aviation experts say.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)is forcing flight cancellations because of insufficient air traffic controller staffing. The cancellations caused 10% of flights to be sidelined Friday because of the lack of controllers, regardless of the shutdown’s status.

Tim Kiefer, an Embry Riddle professor and former air traffic controller with 22 years of experience, said the position already faces shortages. Controllers are used to having one person work two jobs, he said.

Kiefer worked during the 2019 government shutdown, which is now the second longest in history. The added stress comes from working without p

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