The Hollywood Burbank Airport experienced significant operational challenges on Monday night when it operated without any air traffic controllers for several hours, resulting in considerable flight delays for numerous travelers. According to an advisory released early on Monday, officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the airport would be without air traffic controllers from 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m., raising concerns about safe flight operations.
Efforts were underway by airport officials to secure staff before 10 p.m., but uncertainty loomed regarding the feasibility of this plan. The FAA highlighted that staffing shortages have become increasingly prevalent across the aviation system. In response to these shortages, the FAA implements measures to slow traffic at certain airports to ensure safety, as indicated in a statement from a spokesperson.
California Governor Gavin Newsom took to social media platform X to address the situation, attributing the lack of air traffic control personnel to a federal government shutdown. Around 4:30 p.m., airport officials communicated that operations were still ongoing at Hollywood Burbank Airport. They advised passengers to check with their airlines for updates regarding potential delays or flight cancellations, emphasizing the importance of staying informed during such disruptions.
The FAA imposed a ground delay from 4 p.m. to 9:59 p.m., estimating that travelers could expect an average delay of approximately 151 minutes, which translates to nearly two and a half hours. Reports from CBS News Los Angeles revealed that pilots departing from the airport were instructed to contact SoCal Approach, a San Diego-based air traffic control facility known as Southern California TRACON, to obtain departure clearance amidst the staffing crisis.
By 5 p.m., a line of seven planes was already visible on the runway, signaling the extent of the delays. As the night progressed, the airport reported 25 arrival delays and 17 departure delays by 7 p.m., alongside seven arrival cancellations and five departure cancellations. Many passengers found their connecting flights rerouted to other nearby airports, including the bustling Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
As the situation unfolded, it was confirmed that the airport tower was staffed again after 10 p.m. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which represents the nation’s air traffic controllers, instructed its members to continue their duties despite the ongoing government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also addressed concerns regarding air traffic control during a conference at Newark Liberty International Airport, noting an increase in sick calls from air traffic controllers who have been working without pay.
This situation echoes the previous government shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019, which lasted for 34 days. During that period, numerous major U.S. airports faced operational limits due to a surge in sick calls from air traffic controllers. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also reported that around 10% of its workforce called in sick, leading to increased security screening delays at airports nationwide.
The current air traffic control staffing issues come at a time when the nation is grappling with a significant shortage of air traffic controllers. A CBS News analysis of FAA data revealed that 90% of terminal towers at U.S. airports are not adequately staffed to meet the standards set by NATCA and the FAA. Furthermore, the FAA advisory indicated that similar staffing issues were affecting airports in Denver, Phoenix, and Detroit on the same day, highlighting the widespread nature of this crisis in the aviation sector.
As travelers continue to navigate these challenging circumstances, it remains essential for passengers to stay informed and prepared for potential delays and cancellations at airports across the country.
