On Monday, significant delays and cancellations were reported at the Hollywood Burbank Airport as well as at various airports across the United States. This turmoil has been exacerbated by the ongoing government shutdown, which is intensifying an existing shortage of air traffic controllers.
At the Hollywood Burbank Airport, air traffic control operations were left unmanned for nearly six hours, requiring remote management due to critical staffing shortages. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that an increasing number of air traffic controllers are calling in sick as the shutdown, which has now lasted for seven days, places additional stress on these essential workers. Duffy estimated that staffing levels in some areas have dropped to as low as 50%.
Air traffic controllers are classified as essential workers and are mandated to continue their duties without compensation during government shutdowns. This situation has resulted in disrupted flight schedules across numerous major airports, including Newark, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, and Burbank. Passengers have experienced delays ranging from 40 to 60 minutes due to the staffing issues.
The current government shutdown commenced on October 1 after bipartisan lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on resolving a budgetary dispute. As it stands, the timeline for breaking the deadlock in Congress remains uncertain. Approximately 40% of the federal workforce, which equates to around 750,000 individuals, is anticipated to be placed on unpaid leave during this shutdown, while essential government employees are expected to continue working without pay.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), representing over 20,000 air traffic controllers, engineers, and aviation safety professionals, has issued a warning to its members. Employees have been cautioned that failing to report for duty could lead to termination. This warning follows Secretary Duffy's announcement that there has been a slight increase in air traffic controllers calling in sick, which he indicated would likely lead to further delays.
During a news conference on Monday, Duffy emphasized that safety remains the top priority, even if it results in flight delays or cancellations. He expressed concern that air traffic controllers should concentrate on their responsibilities without the additional burden of financial worries, stating, "What they think about as they're controlling our airspace is: 'How am I going to pay my mortgage?'"
This current shutdown mirrors past instances where travel was significantly impacted, notably during the government shutdown in 2019. That shutdown lasted five weeks and severely disrupted airline operations, including essential pilot training. On January 25, 2019, numerous air traffic controllers opted to stay home, leading to temporary travel halts at major airports, including New York's LaGuardia. This disruption ultimately prompted President Donald Trump to agree to a short-term spending bill, thus ending the shutdown after 35 days.
As the situation evolves, travelers are advised to stay informed about potential delays and cancellations that may arise due to the ongoing government shutdown and its impact on air traffic control staffing.
