The ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown—now in its 27th day—has triggered major disruptions across U.S. public services, particularly air travel.
Over 8,000 flights were delayed on Sunday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are having to work without pay, Reuters reported.
Why It Matters
Not only has this caused severe disruption for passengers looking to travel by plane, but it’s also placed a huge strain on nationwide airport operations. These disruptions add pressure on Congress to end the shutdown, as millions of Americans and businesses rely on air travel.
What To Know
Flight delays and cancellations escalated over the weekend, with real-time flight tracking data confirming over 8,000 delays across the United States on Sunday, which was up from approximately 5,300 the previous day.
Up-to-date flight information can be found in this real-time flight tracker.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was experiencing staffing issues due to air traffic controller shortages in 22 locations on Saturday. He told Fox News that this number was “one of the highest that we’ve seen in the system” since the shutdown began on October 1.
Airlines Worst Hit by Flights Delays
Airlines facing significant disruptions include:
- Southwest Airlines: 2,000 flights were delayed
- American Airlines: 1,200 flights were pushed back
- United Airlines: 739 flights faced delays
- Delta Air Lines: 610 flights, delayed
Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers continue to work without pay, as required by law during a shutdown. The controllers are to miss their first full paycheck on Tuesday.
The FAA is understaffed by about 3,500 air traffic controllers, according to Reuters. This deficit predates the shutdown, as many current staff were expected to work mandatory overtime and six-day workweeks.
What People Are Saying
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the increasing staff shortages as “a sign that the controllers are wearing thin.” “They’re taking second jobs, they’re out there looking,” he told Fox News.
President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Nick Daniels said on Friday : “This shutdown has real consequences for these hard-working American patriots. With each passing day, controllers become more distracted by the risk of receiving a zero-dollar paycheck on 28 October, despite working 40 hours per week and, in many cases, mandatory overtime due to the controller staffing shortage.”
President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO, which represents 11,000 employees at the FAA and the Defense Department, Dave Spero told The Guardian on Sunday: “It can take three to five years to fully train a technician. Any lapse in training can push the clock back. For every day the government is shut down and employees in the aviation ecosystem are still furloughed, another layer of safety may be peeled away.”
What Happens Next
The Trump administration has warned that disruptions are expected to worsen as staff miss their first full paycheck of the shutdown, further eroding morale and potentially leading to more shortages.
In 2019, a 35-day shutdown led to increased controller absences and TSA staffing shortages, causing extended wait times and air travel delays—especially in major hubs like New York and Washington, D.C.
