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3w ago

U.S. Flight Delays Widen as Shutdown Drains Air Traffic Control Staffing

Controller pay is halted under the shutdown, which is forcing the FAA to slow traffic to maintain safety.

An American Eagle plane takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport on Monday in Burbank, Calif. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated the airport had no air traffic controllers in its tower amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
A commercial airliner takes off past the air traffic control tower at San Diego International Airport during the first day of a partial U.S. government shutdown in San Diego, California, U.S., October 1, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake
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 Airport’s control tower was unstaffed from about 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, with Southern California TRACON managing the airspace and average delays exceeding two and a half hours.
  • The FAA cited controller shortages for delays at Newark, Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas on Monday, then reported additional impacts Tuesday at Nashville, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia and slowed traffic at centers in Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said sick calls have increased slightly and warned the agency will further reduce flow where needed, noting some facilities are operating at roughly 50% of normal staffing.
  • FlightAware counted more than 6,000 U.S. delays Monday, a total influenced by weather and traffic volume but worsened by staffing constraints linked to the shutdown.
  • The controllers’ union urged members to keep working and called on Congress to end the shutdown, with controllers set to miss an Oct. 14 paycheck and funding for Essential Air Service at risk if the impasse persists.