Severe weather and staffing shortages snarl Halloween travel

Travelers across the US face a spooky Halloween as severe weather and staffing shortages tied to the government shutdown trigger widespread disruption. Ground delays hit Orlando MCO, Austin-Bergstrom and Nashville amid an air traffic control staffing shortage. By 3 pm ET, 3,437 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were delayed and 331 canceled, FlightAware reported. On Thursday, 7,250 flights were delayed and 1,249 canceled. The FAA said a lack of certified controllers temporarily prevented landings at Orlando, stranding thousands, while over 13,000 controllers work without pay.