As the U.S. government shutdown enters its second week, its effects are rippling through the nation’s aviation system in alarming ways. The shutdown impacts air travel across the country, grounding or delaying thousands of flights as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staffing shortages and unpaid work conditions deepen the crisis.
Shutdown Impacts Air Travel Across Major Airports
With no resolution in sight, furloughed essential workers — including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers — continue to staff the nation’s airports without pay. The result has been widespread flight delays, partial tower closures, and heightened safety risks from Los Angeles to Chicago.
A week ago, Hollywood Burbank Airport went silent for several hours when too few controllers reported for duty, forcing pilots to self-coordinate takeoffs and landings over a shared frequency — a risky system normally reserved for small regional airfields.
Federal Worker Layoffs Deepen Shutdown Crisis as Trump Moves to Downsize Government – USA Herald
