The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for worsening airport staffing shortages as the ongoing government shutdown leaves air traffic controllers working without pay. Significant flight delays have already been reported at major airports, including Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, Houston, Chicago, and Las Vegas. These disruptions follow earlier slowdowns at airports in Denver, Phoenix, Burbank, California, and Newark, New Jersey that began when air traffic controllers started working without pay.
The situation became particularly severe at California’s Burbank Airport, where the control tower was forced to close for nearly six hours due to the complete absence of air traffic controllers. During this closure, controllers from a San Diego facility managed air traffic remotely, but flights still experienced average delays exceeding two and a half hours. Multiple other air traffic control facilities reported staffing advisories, including Philadelphia TRACON, Denver Center, Detroit TRACON, Indianapolis Center, and Phoenix facilities. Denver Airport experienced over 600 delayed flights, while Phoenix saw more than 200 delays.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has taken the unusual step of reminding members that participating in coordinated activities affecting flight safety or causing delays could result in removal from federal service. The union emphasized that such actions are illegal and undermine their credibility in advocating for controllers. Despite these warnings, the number of domestic and international flight delays has surged dramatically, with over 6,000 delays reported on Monday compared to approximately 3,000 on Saturday.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged a slight increase in sick calls since the shutdown began and expressed concern about controllers facing financial pressures while performing their high-stress jobs. He noted that staffing levels at certain facilities have dropped by as much as fifty percent. Duffy emphasized that safety remains the top priority, stating that if additional sick calls occur, traffic flow would be reduced to maintain safe operations. He revealed that controllers are now grappling with mortgage payments, car payments, and putting food on the table while working six-day workweeks in an already demanding profession.
The staffing crisis has sparked political confrontations, with California Governor Gavin Newsom blaming President Trump for Burbank Airport’s controller shortage. Duffy responded by accusing Democratic leadership of shutting down the government over healthcare provisions for undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, the Senate has failed to pass legislation to reopen the government, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Another critical aviation program facing imminent disruption is the Essential Air Service, which provides subsidies to airlines serving rural communities. This program is set to run out of funding, potentially cutting off air service to numerous small communities, particularly in Alaska, where air travel is essential for transportation. Carriers continuing to operate beyond the funding expiration would do so at their own financial risk.
With an estimated 13,294 controllers working without pay and the prospect of missed paychecks looming, the aviation system faces increasing strain. The country has seen the fragile nature of the national airspace system amid an ongoing political stalemate, raising concerns about how long the system can maintain normal operations without a resolution to the funding impasse.
Resources
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/airport-delays-hit-second-day-government-shutdown-rcna236122
https://abcnews.go.com/US/air-traffic-controllers-working-pay-begin-call-sick/story?id=126289491
https://time.com/7323820/air-travel-warning-flights-delayed-government-shutdown/
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