Shutdown causes controller shortages, multi‑hour delays at Burbank and other U.S. airports
The government shutdown has produced controller shortages that led to pockets of “ATC zero” coverage — notably Hollywood Burbank operated without local tower staff for several hours, FAA data showed average delays of about 2.5 hours there, and FlightAware and other sources reported dozens of cancellations and thousands of delays nationwide with impacts at airports including Denver and Newark. An estimated 13,000–14,000 air‑traffic controllers (and roughly 61,000 TSA workers) are expected to work without pay, worsening an FAA shortfall of about 3,000 controllers and prompting NATCA to urge members to keep working while officials rely on workarounds (SoCal TRACON, pilot coordination) amid reports of fatigue and financial strain.
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📌 Key Facts
- Initial reporting showed few delays in the opening hours of the shutdown, but officials warned disruptions could grow if the lapse continued.
- Hollywood Burbank Airport went “ATC zero” for several hours; when on‑site tower staff were unavailable the nearby SoCal TRACON handled traffic, pilots used a dedicated frequency, and FAA data showed average delays of about 2.5 hours for flights into Burbank that night.
- Other U.S. airports — including Denver and Newark — also experienced delays, and federal advisories flagged an unusually high number of low‑staffed facilities.
- A FlightAware snapshot reported about 50 cancellations and 2,514 delays as of Wednesday afternoon, with weather cited as a contributing factor in some disruptions.
- Roughly 13,200–14,000 air‑traffic controllers were expected to continue working without pay during the shutdown; the FAA already faces a preexisting shortfall of about 3,000 controllers. (As broader context, roughly 750,000 federal employees were reported furloughed.)
- The air traffic controllers’ union (NATCA, more than 20,000 members) and its leadership publicly instructed members to continue working and discouraged job actions, while warning that participating in job actions could risk removal from federal service; NATCA President Nick Daniels acknowledged the uncertainty and hardships members faced.
- Controllers and union officials described increased strain: on‑the‑record comments and anonymous quotes cited fatigue and financial pressure for newer hires working unpaid shifts (one supervisor even considered loaning money to a trainee); Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there was a slight uptick in sick calls since the shutdown began, and NATCA said sick calls are normal but the staffing gaps leave the system fragile and underscore the need to accelerate hiring and training.
- A claim by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on CNBC that starting pay for air traffic controllers is $180,000 was reported but is not supported by available data.
📚 Contextual Background
- The Social Security Administration's contingency plans provide that in the event of a lapse in appropriations the agency will follow those plans and beneficiaries would continue receiving Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
📰 Sources (8)
How air traffic controllers could help end the shutdown
New information:
- FlightAware snapshot: 50 cancellations and 2,514 delays as of Wednesday afternoon, with weather also contributing.
- Hollywood Burbank went "ATC zero" for several hours; traffic was handled by a nearby facility and pilots coordinated on a dedicated frequency (standard when towers are closed).
- NATCA on-record comment: sick calls are normal but the staffing shortage leaves the system fragile and underscores the need to accelerate training and hiring.
- Anonymous controller quotes describe fatigue and financial strain on new hires during unpaid shutdown work; one supervisor considered loaning money to a trainee.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, on CNBC, claimed ATC starting pay is $180,000; Axios notes that figure isn’t supported by available data.
Senate prepares to vote again on Day 8 of government shutdown
New information:
- FAA data cited: flights into Hollywood Burbank experienced average delays of about 2.5 hours when the airport operated without on‑duty air traffic controllers Monday night.
- Other U.S. airports experiencing delays include Denver and Newark, with federal advisories flagging unusually high numbers of low‑staffed facilities.
- Operational workaround reported: captains were asked to contact Southern California TRACON (SoCal Approach) for departure clearance when local tower staff were unavailable.
California airport goes without air traffic controllers in government shutdown
New information:
- Hollywood Burbank Airport in California operated without air traffic controllers for several hours on Monday night.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the TSA has seen a slight increase in air-traffic controllers calling in sick since the shutdown began.
- The union representing air-traffic controllers reportedly instructed members to continue working during the shutdown.
Air traffic controllers told to keep working during government shutdown
New information:
- NATCA posted a message to members discouraging job actions and warning that participating in a job action 'could result in removal from federal service.'
- NATCA President Nick Daniels posted a video message acknowledging the shutdown's 'uncertainty and hardships' for members.
- The article cites NATCA's membership size (more than 20,000) and reiterates that the FAA defines controllers as essential workers required to work during a shutdown.
Shutdown puts further strain on already understaffed air traffic control system
New information:
- PBS reports that roughly 14,000 air traffic controllers will continue to work without pay during the shutdown.
- PBS cites a figure of roughly 750,000 federal employees furloughed as the broader context for the operational strain.
- PBS includes an on‑the‑record interview with Nick Daniels of the air traffic controllers' union describing the overwork and strain.
How your travel plans could be affected by a prolonged government shutdown
New information:
- Identifies estimated staffing counts early in the lapse: roughly 13,200 air‑traffic controllers and more than 61,000 TSA employees expected to remain on duty (working without pay).
- Notes an existing FAA shortfall of about 3,000 air‑traffic controllers, increasing vulnerability to sustained absences.
- Quotes U.S. Travel Association president Geoff Freeman and aviation experts (Jeffrey Price) plus a union leader (Nick Daniels) describing safety and operational risks and historical precedent from the 2018–2019 35‑day shutdown (including Miami terminal closure).
U.S. airports report few delays as the shutdown begins.
New information:
- Contrasts prior warnings by reporting that, initially, airports saw few delays at the start of the shutdown.
- Adds context that TSA lines and airport operations have not (yet) deteriorated materially in the opening hours but could be affected if the lapse continues.