How The Federal Shutdown May Affect Air Travel

The federal government shutdown, which enters its eighth day Wednesday, is putting more stress on air traffic controllers as well as threatening a program that small communities rely on to subsidize airline service.

Controllers are expected to continue working without a paycheck, so they are now worried about how to pay their bills in addition to worrying about keeping flights safe, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday in a news conference at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“Now what they think about as they’re controlling our airspace is, how am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment? I have a couple kids at home. How do I put food on the table? I’m working six days a week. Do I have to take a second job and drive Uber when I’m already exhausted from doing a job that’s already stressful to think about how I can make extra money because the government may not provide me a paycheck?” Duffy said.

There were some instances Monday of air traffic controllers calling out sick, leading to travel snarls at several airports. About 6,000 flights were cancelled or delayed at multiple airports.

It’s a good idea for travelers to check with a flight tracking service such as FlightAware to see if their flights are on time, delayed, or cancelled.

By Monday evening, the Federal Aviation Administration was reporting that staffing shortages were creating delays in the Burbank, Newark and Denver airports. The worst problems were in Burbank, where California Gov. Gavin Newsom said no controllers were on duty during the evening, leading to average delays of two-and-a-half hours at that airport.

The head of the air traffic controllers union, Nick Daniels, stayed away from political comments, but he urged Congress to end the shutdown.

“We need to bring this shutdown to a close, so that the Federal Aviation Administration and the committed aviation safety professionals can put this distraction behind us, and completely focus on their vital work,” Daniels said.

If the sick-out worsens and creates a shortage of controllers, the FAA will reduce the number of takeoffs and landings to ensure controllers aren't overwhelmed, and the system remains safe. But that creates delays and possibly cancellations. Near the end of the 35-day shutdown during the first Trump administration, there were widespread flight delays because of staffing shortages.

Also, Duffy said at the news conference, the Essential Air Service program that subsidizes airline service to small communities across the country will also quickly run out of money.

Duffy said that program enjoys strong bipartisan support and provides an important lifeline to many small communities. It is especially important in Alaska, where flying is the only way to travel between many communities.

“That money runs out this Sunday. So there’s many small communities across the country that will now no longer have the resources to make sure they have air service in their community,” Duffy said.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.