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Orlando International Airport Facing Ground Delays Up To 180 Minutes
If you’re flying into Orlando tonight, pack some patience — or a good book. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Ground Delay Program for Orlando International Airport (MCO), with average delays stretching over two hours and continuing into the early morning hours of Friday.
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As of 10 p.m. ET, the average delay sits at 161 minutes, peaking earlier in the evening at three full hours for flights scheduled to arrive between 6:00 and 9:59 p.m. EDT. The FAA’s delay scope extends across nearly the entire continental U.S. and parts of Canada, affecting departures from more than two dozen air traffic control centers — from Los Angeles (ZLA) to New York (ZNY) and Toronto (CYYZ).
The cause, according to federal aviation officials, is a staffing shortage linked to the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 30th day. While the agency continues to operate under contingency staffing, the shortage has reduced capacity at one of the nation’s busiest airports — right at the start of the busy holiday travel ramp-up.
Related: Your Ultimate Guide to the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort 2025
FAA data shows delays will gradually ease after midnight, tapering from 131 minutes around 11 p.m. to roughly an hour by 2 a.m. EDT. Passengers should likely expect the delays to ramp back up throughout the day on Friday.
Passengers are advised to check their airline’s flight status before leaving for the airport and to expect continued ripple effects on Friday morning arrivals.
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