PHL Impacted By Widespread Flight Delays Due To Gov't Shutdown

UPDATE: President Donald Trump announced he would sign a bill opening closed federal agencies for three weeks, until Feb. 15.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia International Airport is reporting significant delays of an hour or more Friday morning, according to airport officials and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The delays, reportedly caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers due to the government shutdown, are impacting numerous airports along the East Coast.

The FAA is reporting delays up to 74 minutes at the Philadelphia International Airport.

All flights into LaGuardia have been halted.

Travelers should check with their airlines at the FAA website or on FlightView.com to see if their scheduled flights are impacted.

The air traffic controllers union warned this week that the shortage of employees due to the shutdown was creating risks to the air-travel system, according to The New York Times.

The government shutdown, now in its second month, began Dec. 22 and is due to an impasse over funding for a wall along the southern border.

Protesters descended on Terminal B at the Philadelphia International Airport Friday to rally against the shutdown and pushing legislators to reopen the government.

Philadelphia union members, labor advocates, and even some politicians were outside the airport to speak out against the shutdown.

The shutdown isn't just affecting government workers and their families, it's now also throwing a monkey wrench into IRS refunds, SNAP and WIC benefits, school/daycare food programs and immigration courts.

RELATED: 10 Ways The Shutdown Is Now Directly Impacting Pennsylvanians

Several area businesses have stepped up to offer free meals, drinks and other items to federal workers who are working without pay.

This is a breaking story, check back for updates.

Image via Jenna Fisher/Patch