New York (CNN) The federal government shutdown was blamed for flight delays Friday at major airports in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Orlando and Atlanta due to staffing shortages at critical air traffic control centers.

Morning flights at LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International and Philadelphia International airports were delayed by less than an hour, on average, according to the FAA. Orlando International and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airports saw similar lags, the agency reported.

Staffing issues at air traffic control centers around Washington and Jacksonville, Florida, caused delays across the Northeast, an official with knowledge of the situation told CNN.

The delays appeared to be easing by Friday afternoon.

They are directly attributable to the partial government shutdown, said Trish Gilbert, executive vice president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.