Widespread flight delays are plaguing U.S. airports as the government shutdown enters its second week, with air traffic controller shortages causing significant disruptions across major hubs. Transportation officials report increased sick calls among unpaid essential workers, leading to facility closures and extended ground delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has documented staffing shortages at numerous facilities, including Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, where the tower operated without a full complement of controllers for nine hours on Tuesday. Similar issues affected approach facilities in Nashville, Houston, Newark, and Las Vegas, with ground delays averaging 41 minutes at O’Hare and up to two hours in Nashville. These disruptions stem from a slight uptick in unscheduled absences among air traffic controllers, who are required to work without pay during the shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the delays to controllers’ anxieties about missing paychecks, with some considering secondary employment options. At a press conference in Newark, Duffy emphasized that while organized job actions are illegal, individual sick calls are occurring due to financial stress. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has discouraged such behavior but acknowledges the system’s fragility, with nearly 20,000 professionals facing unprecedented pressure.
Specific incidents highlight the severity of the situation. At Hollywood Burbank Airport in California, the air traffic control tower closed for nearly six hours on Monday, forcing pilots to coordinate takeoffs and landings using a common frequency typically reserved for small airports. This “chat line” approach, while functional, reduces safety margins and has resulted in delays exceeding two and a half hours for some flights.
The shutdown exacerbates long-standing staffing issues within the FAA, where controllers already work extensive hours amid outdated equipment. NATCA President Nick Daniels noted that such scenarios are not uncommon, but the political impasse adds unnecessary distractions. The union calls for accelerated hiring and training to bolster the system’s resilience, efforts that are now hampered by the funding lapse.
Beyond immediate delays, the shutdown threatens rural air service through the Essential Air Service program, which could lose funding as early as Sunday. Duffy warned that communities in Alaska and other remote areas might lose commercial flights, impacting thousands of jobs and travelers. Airlines like Alaska Air may suspend services if reimbursements are halted, deepening the crisis.
Historical parallels exist; during the 2018-2019 shutdown, air traffic controller sick calls helped end the 35-day standoff by disrupting East Coast travel. Current officials hope similar pressure will spur a resolution, but partisan disagreements over health care subsidies continue to stall funding bills in Congress.
As the shutdown persists, the aviation system’s vulnerabilities become more apparent. Controllers worry about upcoming paydays, with October 14 marking the first potential missed paycheck. Duffy has pledged to prioritize safety over convenience, potentially leading to more cancellations if staffing levels deteriorate further.
The situation underscores the interconnectedness of government functions and public services. Travelers are advised to check real-time FAA updates and airline communications, while policymakers face mounting calls to reopen the government and address systemic issues in air traffic control staffing and infrastructure.