Particle.news
Download on the App Store
21 ARTICLES
·
1h ago

U.S. Government Shutdown Halts FAA Work, Puts Air Traffic Controllers on Unpaid Duty

Unpaid essential staffing heightens risks of delays and stalls modernization.

Image
An employee with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checks the documents of a traveler at Reagan National Airport in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Image
Passengers can expect longer security lines as TSA agents work without pay and may potentially stay home during a shutdown.

Overview

  • The Transportation Department said the FAA will furlough 11,322 employees while 13,294 air traffic controllers continue working without pay, with TSA officers also on duty unpaid.
  • Airlines and unions warn travelers to expect longer security lines, delays and possible cancellations as the system slows to preserve safety margins.
  • FAA hiring and field training are paused, including at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, compounding controller shortages and delaying modernization projects.
  • The U.S. Travel Association estimates the shutdown could cost the travel economy about $1 billion per week as passengers defer trips and refunds rise.
  • National parks and some Smithsonian museums are preparing closures or limited services, with sites such as the Grand Canyon at risk of shutting to visitors.