Staffing shortages hit Chicago's O'Hare Airport during federal shutdown

Zoom in: The towers are not expected to shut down completely, like they did at Burbank Airport in California on Monday.

Yes, but: Without a full staff, flight delays are likely. Before the FAA announced shortages, O'Hare was already facing up to 30-minute delays on Tuesday morning.

Zoom out: O'Hare handles nearly 5,000 flights on a regular Tuesday. Chicago officials recently announced that July was the busiest month in the airport's 70-year history.

Context: The FAA didn't give a specific reason for the shortages, but Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier this week that more air traffic controllers than usual have called in sick since the shutdown began.

• Air traffic controllers are deemed essential workers and are required to work during shutdowns, even though they aren't getting paid.