Flight delays have rippled across major U.S. airports as the seventh day of the government shutdown continues to cripple the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The agency is struggling to keep up operations as air traffic controller shortages hit critical levels, leading to ground delays and safety concerns nationwide.
The FAA confirmed that Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport – one of the busiest in the country – will not have enough air traffic controllers in its tower for at least nine hours Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Nashville’s approach facility, responsible for guiding aircraft into and out of the city’s airport, was forced to close entirely due to a lack of available controllers.
The same story is unfolding at facilities across the U.S., affecting airspace management in Houston, Newark, Las Vegas, Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas. Each of these regions is expected to experience major disruptions due to staffing gaps. Houston’s two major airports – Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental – are already reporting significant ground delays, with O’Hare flights averaging 41-minute holds and Nashville flights delayed up to two hours.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the worsening crisis, stating that more air traffic controllers are calling out sick as the shutdown drags on. “This is their living,” Duffy said. “They’re concerned now if they don’t get their paychecks, how do they pay their mortgage or put food on the table?”
Although controllers have yet to miss a paycheck, the next scheduled payday on October 14 may only include pay for work done before the shutdown. If the stalemate continues, the October 28 payroll could be the first without pay for thousands of FAA employees.
A Fragile Air Traffic Control System
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has long warned that the air traffic control system is “critically understaffed” and overly dependent on outdated equipment. NATCA President Nick Daniels told CNN that the shutdown only exposes the long-standing issues within the FAA.
“We are critically staffed with unreliable equipment,” Daniels said. “These scenarios aren’t new, they’re part of the daily reality controllers face. We work with the FAA to address issues as they arise and to ensure the safety of the flying public.”
Federal law prohibits organized job actions such as strikes or coordinated “sickouts,” but experts note that even a small number of unscheduled absences can severely affect operations. The FAA’s staffing levels are already stretched thin, leaving little room to absorb unexpected absences.
Airports Forced to Shut Down Towers
On Monday, Hollywood Burbank International Airport in California faced a total air traffic control shutdown when all controllers scheduled to work stayed home. Without them, pilots were forced to manage takeoffs and landings using a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), essentially a shared radio “chat line” for coordinating aircraft movements.
“It’s doable, but it adds a margin of danger,” said CNN transportation analyst and former DOT inspector general Mary Schiavo. “It’s not as safe as having full air traffic control.”
During the six-hour shutdown, about 37 flights departed and 33 arrived at Burbank. However, the lack of ATC guidance forced pilots to space out their maneuvers, causing delays of up to two and a half hours.
Southern California TRACON, an FAA facility in San Diego, stepped in to help manage the affected airspace, but the temporary fix was far from ideal. Schiavo compared the situation to “having a stop sign instead of a crossing guard”, functional, but far less secure.
Union Urges Controllers to Avoid Protest Actions
While the Department of Transportation has acknowledged a rise in call-outs since the shutdown began, NATCA has urged its nearly 20,000 members to avoid taking sick leave as a form of protest.
“We must recognize that in the current political climate, federal employees are under heightened scrutiny,” NATCA stated in a message to its members. “We cannot stress enough that it is essential to avoid any actions that could reflect poorly on you, our Union, or our professions.”
Schiavo explained that while anxiety and stress are understandable, abusing sick leave could have serious repercussions. “In the federal government, if you’re out for more than three days, you need a doctor’s note,” she said. “If they’re suspicious, they can require a medical exam. Taking sick leave when you’re not actually sick is always a bad idea.”
Still, Daniels said the increased absences are not unexpected, given the intense strain controllers face daily. “This pressure, this stress, and the resulting fatigue are real. We’re dealing with it constantly,” he said.
Growing Concerns for Air Travel Safety
The FAA’s operations plan reported “staffing triggers” – internal warnings of insufficient coverage – at multiple facilities, including those managing traffic for Phoenix, Denver, Newark, Jacksonville, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Indianapolis.
Experts warn that the longer the shutdown continues, the higher the risk for major flight disruptions and potential safety lapses. With many controllers already stretched to their limits, even a small disruption could snowball into widespread delays.
Industry observers note that this situation could soon mirror the 2019 government shutdown, which led to mass flight cancellations and forced the temporary closure of air traffic facilities.
For now, the FAA continues to assure the public that flight safety remains its top priority, but the ongoing shortage paints a worrying picture. As Duffy warned, “The system is fragile. Every controller matters.”
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