NextFin news, On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the U.S. government shutdown, now in its sixth day, has resulted in severe staffing shortages at key airports nationwide, leading to widespread flight delays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported that air traffic controller absences and reduced Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing are disrupting flight operations at several major airports.
Air traffic controllers and TSA officers, numbering approximately 13,000 and 50,000 respectively, are required to work during the shutdown but are currently unpaid, with the first missed paycheck scheduled for October 14. Secretary Duffy noted a 50 percent reduction in staffing at some facilities and a noticeable increase in sick calls among controllers since the shutdown began last week.
Flight delays have been reported at airports serving the New York City metropolitan area, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Newark Liberty International Airport experienced average incoming flight delays of nearly one hour, Denver International Airport saw delays of about 40 minutes, and Hollywood Burbank Airport reported the longest delays, averaging two and a half hours. The Burbank air traffic control tower was unmanned on Monday night, with flight management temporarily handled by the Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control in San Diego.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concern over the financial and emotional strain on air traffic controllers, stating, "They’re thinking about, am I going to get a paycheck? Do I have to take a second job and drive Uber when I’m already exhausted from doing a job that’s already stressful?"
The FAA has implemented ground delay programs at affected airports to manage the reduced capacity safely. These programs hold flights at their departure points to prevent congestion at airports with limited staffing.
In addition to staffing shortages, the start of the 2025 flu season has compounded the problem by increasing absenteeism among controllers. The Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes flights to rural communities, is also at risk of losing funding by Sunday if the shutdown continues, potentially cutting air service to about 175 small communities nationwide.
The government shutdown stems from a funding impasse in Congress, with both Democratic and Republican proposals failing to secure the necessary votes to reopen the government. The ongoing stalemate has left thousands of federal workers furloughed or working without pay, including critical personnel in transportation safety roles.
Secretary Duffy warned that if the situation worsens, the FAA may be forced to reduce air traffic flow further or even shut down airspace to maintain safety. "If we think there’s issues in the airspace, we will shut it down. We will close it down. We will delay," he said.
The transportation sector and travelers continue to monitor developments closely as the shutdown persists, with no immediate resolution in sight.
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