American Airlines Planes Diverted from DFW to Dallas Love Field Due to Staff Shortages
American Airlines MD-80 at DFW
At least 9 American Airlines planes have been diverted to Dallas Love Field today due to “staffing challenges” at Dallas Ft. Worth Airport (DFW).
A spokesman for the FAA confirmed the diversions.
A City of Dallas spokesman said the American Airlines planes were being refueled at Love Field and prepped to make the short flight over to D/FW as soon as possible.
In a follow-up statement, the FAA said travelers should expect “a wide range of delays that will change throughout the day” due to staffing shortages in Dallas, New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
The FAA said controllers will space planes father apart so staff can better handle traffic in the air, which will lead to delays at D/FW.
The diversions are the first local impact of the federal sequestration that has forced air traffic controllers to take unpaid days off across the nation. The furloughs equal about a 10 percent reduction in staffing nationwide of controllers.