Staffing shortages at U.S. airports are expected to exacerbate disruptions for air travelers as the federal government shutdown continues into its seventh day. Union leaders representing air traffic controllers and airport security personnel have raised concerns about deteriorating conditions, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported staffing issues in several major cities, including Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia, as well as at air traffic control centers in Atlanta, Houston, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The FAA has already slowed takeoffs at various airports due to the ongoing staffing challenges. Travel industry analysts have indicated that these disruptions may worsen over time and could potentially impact holiday travel plans in November. Concerns have been expressed that a prolonged shutdown could adversely affect millions of Americans during Thanksgiving.
On Wednesday, union leaders from the American Federation of Government Employees emphasized the need for Congress to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government, citing the impact on transportation operations. They noted that many aviation workers rely on federal funding for safe operations, questioning the safety of the system under current conditions.
Major airports such as those in New York, Los Angeles, and Denver reported significant delays earlier this week, with over 6,000 flights impacted. The Nashville airport experienced delays of around two hours, while Chicago’s O’Hare averaged 41-minute delays and Dallas-Fort Worth recorded 30 minutes.
Despite these disruptions, data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicated that approximately 92% of flights departing U.S. airports were on time as of Tuesday. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, representing air traffic controllers, stated their commitment to maintaining safety standards, cautioning against any job actions.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the increased stress placed on air traffic controllers during the shutdown, noting that they were already working with outdated equipment. He suggested that the shutdown was shifting focus away from airspace management to financial worries among workers. Furthermore, concerns were raised about potential changes to pay for furloughed federal workers once the government reopens.
In total, over 11,000 FAA employees have been furloughed due to the shutdown, although around 13,000 air traffic controllers continue to work. Union representatives reported that existing staffing shortages and outdated technology have been exacerbated by the current situation, particularly at smaller airports, where the lack of available personnel is more acute.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/08/government-shutdown-airports-delays