'Zero' Air Traffic Controllers Working At Burbank Airport Monday Night: Newsom

BURBANK, CA — There were no air-traffic controllers scheduled to work at the Hollywood Burbank Airport Monday evening due to the federal government shutdown, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Beginning at 4:15 p.m., Burbank had no air traffic controllers in its tower. The Federal Aviation Administration said the airport was expected to remain without controllers until about 10 p.m., but officials were working to bring in staff as soon as possible.

Thanks, @realDonaldTrump!

Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm today because of YOUR government shutdown. https://t.co/bnfuI9CKiR
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) October 6, 2025

“Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm today because of YOUR government shutdown,” Newsom wrote on X.

To cope with the severe shortage, authorities put several measures in place, including ground delays at airports in other cities.

The FAA said that departures to Burbank were delayed an average of 151 minutes Monday afternoon.

Air traffic controllers headed home from Burbank at 4:15 p.m. and the tower was left unstaffed. Duties were handed off to Southern California TRACON, a departure team based in San Diego, which coordinated with pilots arriving and departing from Burbank Airport, ABC 7 reported.

The government shutdown entered its sixth day Monday as Democrats and Republicans remained at odds over a funding plan. Both a GOP-backed stopgap measure and a Democratic alternative failed to advance in the Senate.

The last federal shutdown lasted 35 days in 2018-19 during President Donald Trump's first term in office.

The FAA advised passengers to check its website for real-time flight impacts.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

City News Service contributed to this report.