FAA reports ground delays at Houston's Bush, Hobby airports Saturday due to staffing

Longer wait times expected at Houston airports

Wait times at security checkpoints at Bush and Hobby airports are expected to increase as the government shutdown drags on.

HOUSTON - The Federal Aviation Administration reported ground delays at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport due to staffing issues on Saturday.

Timeline:

As of 3:45 p.m. Saturday, the FAA reported a ground delay at Hobby Airport averaging 65 minutes due to staffing. The FAA had also momentarily reported a ground delay at Bush Airport earlier in the afternoon.

According to the FAA, a ground stop was also issued at Bush Airport from 4:06 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. due to a combination of staffing and thunderstorms.

Staffing shortages as government shutdown continues

TSA checkpoints limited at Houston's Bush Airport

Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport is limiting TSA security checkpoints to terminals A and E. Hobby Airport says travelers could also experience a lower number of screening lanes.

Big picture view:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been warning that travelers will start to see more flight disruptions the longer controllers go without a paycheck.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday reported staffing shortages that were causing flight delays at a number of airports, including in Boston, Phoenix, San Francisco, Nashville, Houston, Dallas and the Washington, D.C. area. Airports serving the New York City area — John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport — were also experiencing delays averaging around two hours, according to the FAA.