US Flight Delays Worsen as Staffing Shortages Deepen During Week-Long Shutdown
Washington: The ongoing US government shutdown has entered its seventh day, triggering widespread flight delays across the country as staffing shortages grip airports and air-traffic control centers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported severe staffing issues at major airports in Nashville, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia, as well as at key air-traffic control hubs in Atlanta and the Dallas–Fort Worth region.
To maintain safety, the FAA temporarily slowed takeoffs of flights bound for the affected cities — a move that rippled through national air travel schedules, adding hours to passengers’ journeys.
On Monday, similar shortages disrupted operations in Burbank (California), Newark (New Jersey), and Denver, highlighting how quickly the nation’s aviation system is being strained by the budget stalemate in Washington.
“Situation likely to get worse”
Union leaders for air-traffic controllers and security screeners warned that the crisis is only beginning.
“The risk of major disruptions to the US aviation system is growing by the day,” said travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt, who cautioned that prolonged pay gaps could lead to cascading breakdowns.
With millions expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holidays, Harteveldt fears that an extended shutdown could “disrupt — and possibly ruin — holiday plans for countless Americans.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed Monday that several FAA facilities have already reported an uptick in controllers calling out sick, compounding the shortage.
“When there aren’t enough controllers, we must reduce the number of takeoffs and landings to preserve safety,” Duffy said. “That inevitably means delays and cancellations.”
Controllers under pressure
The situation came to a head at Hollywood Burbank Airport on Monday afternoon when the control tower temporarily closed due to a lack of personnel, causing average delays of over two hours.
A pilot radioing the tower was told bluntly: “The tower is closed due to staffing.”
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said the incident underscored how fragile the system has become.
“A couple of controllers missing work can have a huge impact at a small airport,” he explained. “We’re already critically understaffed. There’s no overtime, and controllers must be certified at their assigned facilities — you can’t just pull in replacements.”
Daniels said many of his members are growing anxious as another missed payday looms next week. Without paychecks, he warned, the number of absences will climb.
“It’s unrealistic to expect controllers to keep performing such a demanding job when they’re not being paid,” he said. “It’s completely unfair that they’re carrying the burden of this political standoff.”
TSA workers face mounting stress
The shutdown’s effects extend beyond the control towers. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers — also working without pay — are struggling to meet basic expenses.
Johnny Jones, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees chapter representing TSA staff, said workers are asking desperate questions:
“How are we going to pay our bills? How do we cover childcare, mortgages, or support payments?”
Jones, who has worked as a screener since the TSA’s creation, said a handful of employees have already called in sick but stressed that numbers remain low. Still, he warned that could change quickly if the shutdown drags on.
“The employees are assessing what they need to do,” he said. “They’re trying to figure out how this will all work out.”
Airports step up with aid programs
Some airports are stepping in to help unpaid federal workers. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is offering $15 meal vouchers and free terminal parking for affected employees.
At Tampa International Airport, officials have launched an initiative dubbed “Operation Bald Eagle 2” to support roughly 11,000 unpaid federal staff, including air-traffic controllers and TSA officers.
The airport’s Chief Operating Officer John Tiliacos said the program includes a food pantry, free bus rides, and utility-bill support to help keep workers afloat.
“Whatever we can do to make life a little easier and keep our airport running safely — that’s what we’re prepared to do,” Tiliacos said.
Tampa implemented a similar plan during the 35-day shutdown in 2018–2019 under President Donald Trump, a move Tiliacos credits with preventing more severe staffing collapses.
Unions urge immediate end to impasse
Aviation unions and major airlines have jointly appealed to Congress to end the shutdown immediately, warning that every additional day puts the US aviation network — and public safety — at greater risk.
As the political deadlock between Republicans and Democrats enters its second week, the human toll is becoming impossible to ignore. Thousands of aviation professionals continue working without pay, holding the nation’s skies together through sheer duty.
“Controllers and screeners are dedicated to their jobs,” Daniels said, “but dedication doesn’t pay the bills.”
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