A startling message came over the radio from an air traffic control tower near Los Angeles less than a week into the federal government shutdown: “The tower is closed due to staffing.”
Without enough air traffic controllers to guide planes into and out of Hollywood Burbank Airport, the tower went dark for almost six hours on Oct. 6, leaving pilots to coordinate their movements among themselves. Flight delays averaged two-and-a-half hours in one of the first visible signs that the shutdown was already taking a toll on the nation’s aviation system.
Since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, the Federal Aviation Administration has reported controller shortages in cities across the U.S., from airports in Boston and Philadelphia to control centers in Atlanta and Houston. Flight delays have spread to airports in Nashville, Dallas, Newark, and more.
Already, there has been an increase in unscheduled absences among security screeners at some airports. The union representing Transportation Security Administration employees warns that while absences haven’t yet caused major disruptions, longer lines at security checkpoints could soon become a reality.
Experts and union leaders say the disruptions are a stark reminder that the aviation system is already stretched too thin by chronic understaffing and outdated technology. They warn the cracks in the system could rapidly deepen the longer the shutdown persists, with critical aviation workers facing financial instability.
“It’s like having a drought the year after you had a drought,” said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group. This situation is not new; previous shutdowns have strained the aviation network, as seen in 2019 when a 35-day shutdown led to numerous operational issues.
As of now, both the FAA and TSA were already grappling with staffing shortages, including a deficit of around 3,000 air traffic controllers, a situation described as critical by the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The ongoing shutdown raises concerns about future recruitment and retention of staff, with many considering leaving the field.
The aviation community, recovering from a previous shutdown and still grappling with systemic issues, faces challenges that could worsen significantly if the government remains closed for an extended period.
