Air traffic controller shortages have created widespread flight delays across the United States as the government shutdown enters its fifth week. Average delays have reached 49 minutes, with some flights experiencing delays of up to 87 minutes. The crisis has stranded thousands of travelers and exposed serious weaknesses in America’s aviation system.
Controllers Work Without Pay, Staffing Crisis Grows
Since October 1, the government has required air traffic controllers to work without paychecks because they are classified as ‘essential’ federal employees. By late October, many had worked 35 days without pay, waiting for Congress to resolve the shutdown. On Saturday, October 25, twenty-two airports nationwide experienced staffing shortages—one of the highest counts since the shutdown began.
Major airports, including Los Angeles International (LAX), Newark, Reagan National, San Francisco, Austin, Burbank, and Chicago O’Hare, have experienced significant delays and temporary ground stops.
On Sunday morning, October 26, the FAA ordered a ground stop at LAX from 8:45 AM to 10:30 AM due to insufficient controllers, affecting approximately 145 flights. At Hollywood Burbank Airport, 12 flights were canceled, with outgoing flights delayed an average of 2 hours and 31 minutes.
The situation mirrors a 2019 crisis in which sick controllers forced the closure of New York’s LaGuardia Airport, triggering widespread delays. That episode ended the government shutdown within hours. However, the 2025 shutdown has lasted five weeks, with controllers missing multiple paychecks and the system showing deeper strain.
Many controllers have taken out personal loans or taken on second jobs, such as driving for ride-sharing services or delivering food, after their regular shifts. Food banks opened in Newark on October 27 to support federal employees and their families. “These are people who oftentimes live paycheck to paycheck. They’re concerned about gas in the car, child care, and mortgages,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Safety Concerns Mount as Crisis Continues
Even before the shutdown, the FAA was understaffed by approximately 3,500 controllers, resulting in understaffed shifts on many occasions. Controllers were already working extended hours, and the financial stress is making it harder to maintain concentration. Training new controllers takes years, and the FAA’s training center now faces its own funding problems.
“Tension is at an all-time high,” said NATCA President Nick Daniels, who leads the controllers’ union. Some managers and staff have needed time off for health reasons. Aviation officials warn that maintaining focus is becoming increasingly complex, raising concerns about flight safety.
Political leaders remain deadlocked over funding. House Republicans and Democrats blame each other for the crisis, while the White House has explored emergency funding without success. Transportation Secretary Duffy told controllers not to take second jobs, saying the nation needs their “full attention,” but acknowledged workers face impossible choices between paying bills and doing their jobs.
The shortage of approximately 3,500 controllers at the FAA left many shifts understaffed even before the shutdown. With only a few thousand controllers managing all U.S. air traffic, even a small number calling in sick can cause massive nationwide delays. As the shutdown continues, the stakes remain high for passengers, airlines, and workers alike.