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1h ago

Shutdown Strains U.S. Aviation: Burbank Tower Unmanned for Hours as FAA Slows Flights

Rising sick calls during the funding lapse are forcing reduced arrival and departure rates across multiple airports.

A dark and unstaffed air traffic control tower is seen at the Hollywood Burbank Airport amid the US government shutdown
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Overview

  • Hollywood Burbank’s control tower had zero controllers from 4:15 p.m. to about 10 p.m. Monday, with average departure delays near 2 hours 31 minutes, the FAA reported.
  • Southern California TRACON in San Diego managed Burbank airspace, and pilots followed common traffic advisory frequency protocols while the tower was unstaffed.
  • The FAA posted staffing-trigger advisories at Newark and Denver the same evening, with delays up to about an hour at Newark and roughly 40 minutes at Denver.
  • Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay during the shutdown, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said sick calls have ticked up slightly as the agency slows traffic to preserve safety.
  • DOT warned that Essential Air Service subsidies could run out by Sunday if the funding lapse continues, and NATCA leaders publicly urged Congress to end the shutdown.