If you’re preparing to head south of the border, flights at many major airports were delayed due to an ”increase in sick leave” among air traffic controllers.

The Federal Aviation Administration briefly issued a ground stop at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, temporarily halting flights due to staffing issues.

(LaGuardia Airport/Reuters)

There were also delays at Newark and Philadelphia airports.

Air Canada and WestJet both operate flights to LaGuardia.

Numerous delays were reported at Pearson International.

The FAA blames the situation on a slight increase in sick leave and says it’s being managed by ”augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft when needed,” adding the public can monitor air traffic at fly.faa.gov and should also check with their airlines for more information.

The air traffic controllers and other U.S. federal workers have been ordered to stay on the job, even though they missed a second paycheque today due to the partial government shutdown now into day 35.