In brief
As the federal government shutdown continues into its seventh day, airports nationwide are experiencing heightened flight delays linked to staffing shortages. With air traffic controllers and TSA officers working without pay, experts warn that further disruptions may affect travel plans, especially during the upcoming holiday season. The FAA reported issues specifically at major airports, yet most flights remain on time. Nevertheless, concerns mount about the potential long-term impacts on aviation and worker well-being.
Staffing shortages led to more flight delays at airports across the U.S. on Tuesday as the federal government shutdown stretched into its seventh day. Union leaders for air traffic controllers and airport security screeners warned that the situation is likely to worsen.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported staffing issues at airports in Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia, along with significant delays at air traffic control centers in Atlanta, Houston, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The agency temporarily slowed takeoffs for flights bound for these cities.
Flight disruptions earlier this week were also linked to insufficient staffing amidst the shutdown that commenced on October 1, 2025. Issues were noted at airports including Burbank, California; Newark, New Jersey; and Denver.
Notably, despite these challenges, approximately 92% of over 23,600 flights departing from U.S. airports as of Tuesday afternoon took off on time, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
However, the risk of further impacts to the U.S. aviation system is rising daily, as federal workers who perform critical roles continue working without pay, according to travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt. He emphasized that the longer the shutdown persists, the more likely it is to disrupt holiday travel plans in November.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted a noticeable uptick in air traffic controllers calling out sick at various locations, which compels the FAA to reduce the number of takeoffs and landings to maintain safety, thereby leading to delays and cancellations. In Southern California's Hollywood Burbank Airport, for instance, a control tower closure due to staffing resulted in average delays of over two hours on Monday.
With concerns escalating, Harteveldt expressed deep worries about the shutdown's potential to disrupt and alienate millions of Americans' Thanksgiving holidays, stressing that it could affect air travel significantly.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, highlighted that the shutdown uncovers existing operational issues faced by controllers, citing that any absence among the already limited staff can severely hinder operations.
The union is urging swift resolution of the political deadlock to restore normalcy in air traffic and alleviate the impact on workers facing financial strains due to the shutdown.
Cities like Tampa are proactively preparing support initiatives for federal workers affected by the shutdown, reinforcing local assistance to ease their burdens as they continue their critical roles in maintaining airport operations.
