Ground delays issued amid shortage of air controllers as shutdown continues

As the government shutdown drags on, so do woes at airports — this time at Orlando International Airport in Florida.

As the government shutdown drags on, so do woes at airports — this time at Orlando International Airport in Florida.

A ground delay was issued Thursday evening for Orlando MCO — the state's busiest airport — with departures to the airport delayed an average of 2.7 hours because of staffing issues. The delay is in effect from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET, according to a Federal Aviation Administration advisory.

Earlier in the evening, the FAA said the airport would be unable to land arriving flights for a period because no certified air traffic controllers were available at the hub.

That was later remedied, with the FAA saying there has been an “increase in staffing” for the F11 Central Florida Tracon, which is staffed by controllers.

A MCO spokesperson said the ground delay is over staffing issues, and the delay program "has reduced the rate of arrivals at the airport and passengers may experience delays on average of 2 ½ hours."