Shutdown causes controller shortages, multi‑hour delays at Burbank and other U.S. airports
A partial government shutdown has left U.S. air traffic control stretched thin, with roughly 13,000–14,000 controllers and tens of thousands of TSA employees continuing to work without pay while the FAA faces an existing shortfall of about 3,000 controllers. The strain has produced multi‑hour disruptions—Hollywood Burbank went “ATC zero” for several hours, with flights into Burbank averaging about 2.5‑hour delays—and nationwide impacts including dozens of cancellations and thousands of delays (FlightAware reported 50 cancellations and 2,514 delays), as airports such as Denver, Newark, Nashville, Chicago and Dallas–Fort Worth saw staffing‑related problems amid warnings against coordinated job actions and reports of fatigue and financial hardship among controllers.
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📌 Key Facts
- Early in the government shutdown some outlets reported few initial delays or material deterioration in TSA lines and airport operations, but warned conditions could worsen if the lapse continued.
- Roughly 13,000–14,000 air‑traffic controllers were reported working without pay (the FAA classifies controllers as essential), alongside more than 61,000 TSA employees; about 750,000 federal workers were furloughed overall, creating broader operational strain.
- The FAA already faced a pre‑shutdown shortfall of about 3,000 controllers, leaving the system fragile and increasing pressure to accelerate training and hiring.
- Sick calls and controller no‑shows during the shutdown contributed to disruptions; FlightAware data showed about 50 cancellations and roughly 2,514 delays (weather also a factor), and officials attributed more than half of current delays to no‑shows.
- Hollywood Burbank Airport went “ATC zero” for several hours: local tower staff were unavailable, average arrival delays were reported at about 2.5 hours, and departures were handled by SoCal TRACON with captains/pilots coordinating on the standard frequency as a workaround.
- Other airports reporting notable impacts included Denver, Newark, Nashville, Chicago and Dallas–Fort Worth, with federal advisories flagging unusually high numbers of low‑staffed facilities.
- Union and government messages urged continued work but warned of consequences: NATCA discouraged job actions, asked members to keep working and acknowledged hardship for crews (including some needing time off or second jobs); DOT and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said over 90% of controllers were reporting and warned that those who intentionally fail to show up could face removal, a claim the secretary’s statement about controller starting pay was disputed by reporting.
- On‑the‑ground reporting and anonymous controller accounts described fatigue and financial strain among controllers working unpaid (including newer hires), with supervisors and union leaders noting overwork, potential personal financial help, and legal risks for coordinated disruptions.
📚 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 (9)
Air traffic controllers who duck unpaid work during the gov't shutdown could be fired, Duffy warns
New information:
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned controllers who call in sick instead of working unpaid could be fired.
- Duffy said more than 90% of controllers are reporting to work and attributed more than half of current delays to no-shows.
- DOT spokesperson said consequences are "inevitable" for "rare bad actors" who purposefully don't show up and cause disruptions.
- NATCA EVP Mick Devine told members coordinated activity disrupting the system is illegal and risks careers; the union urges members to keep working.
- NATCA President Nick Daniels said some controllers may need time off to work second jobs to cover bills during the shutdown.
- Airports with notable impacts include Burbank and Nashville, with delays also at Newark, Chicago, Denver and Dallas–Fort Worth.
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.