Air Traffic Chaos as US Shutdown Drags On

It was supposed to be like any other morning for an airline pilot at Burbank Hollywood Airport. The preparations for the take-off were complete, and the pilot took the routine step of radioing the air traffic control tower. What caused the pilot to be surprised was the absence of the usual back and forth conversation of the ATC staff coordinating the departure. Instead, the pilot was informed that the tower was closed due to staffing. 

The US government shutdown, the first in six years, has rapidly affected all industries across the United States, with its impact clearly visible in air travel. With wages withheld and staffing disrupted, ATC shortages have led to significant delays at major airports and forced pilots in some regions to adopt alternative procedures. 

ATC staff are essential workers and so they must work during the shutdown, but it is difficult when they are not getting paid. On Monday night, staff shortages were reported across twelve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities. Control towers at airports in Burbank, Phoenix and Denver were among those affected, according to the public FAA operations plan. Other facilities managing air traffic around Newark, New Jersey; Jacksonville, Florida; Chicago; Washington, DC; and Indianapolis were operating with what can be described as a minimal "skeleton crew." Approach facilities in Houston and Las Vegas also lacked enough staff for most of Tuesday evening, along with other locations in the Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Dallas areas. 

The tower at Nashville was shut down for more than five hours on Tuesday night. Flights heading to the airport had to contact a regional air traffic control centre in Memphis to enter the airspace. 

At approximately 4:15 pm Monday evening, the control tower at Burbank was completely shut down. Operations were then conducted with methods that are used at smaller airports without an ATC Tower.

Delays of up to two and a half hours were reported. Denver and Newark experienced multiple ground delays before the flights could depart, allowing the short-staffed ATC teams to manage them in small batches. 

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated at a press conference that the number of controllers calling in sick has increased since the shutdown began. He also assured the public that authorities are taking all necessary steps to maintain airspace safety. During the last US government shutdown, which lasted over 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019, similar disruptions occurred due to ten ATC staff staying at home.  

While the staffing issues have been brought to the forefront because of their increased severity by the shutdown, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the union representing controllers, said the situation highlights a longstanding staffing shortage that has persisted for decades. 

As per warnings from the FAA, Tuesday night saw insufficient ATC staffing for smooth operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.  

As the shutdown enters its seventh day, similar scenarios are unfolding at FAA offices nationwide, with ripple effects impacting flights across the country. 

“It is normal for a few air traffic controllers to … call in sick on any given day, and this is the latest example of how fragile our aviation system is in the midst of a national shortage of these critical safety professionals,” NATCA said in a statement. “Nearly 11,000 fully certified controllers remain on the job, many working 10-hour shifts as many as six days a week, showing extraordinary dedication to safely guiding millions of passengers to their destinations–all without getting paid during this shutdown.” 

The tower in Burbank was reported to have closed due to staff leaving for home. Southern California TRACON, an FAA facility in San Diego that handles regional traffic, took over some operations, but many aspects of air traffic control were left to the pilots. 

ATC roles are critical to the safety of airline operations and the prevention of fatal accidents. Brookfield Aviation stands in full support of air traffic control professionals during this challenging time.

Brookfield advocates for the immediate resolution of the shutdown and the fair treatment of all essential aviation staff. We remain grateful to those who continue to show up and ensure the skies remain safe for passengers and crew alike.