Multiple airports reported a shortage of air traffic controllers Monday, as the government shutdown nears one week.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in publicly available advisories, said Hollywood Burbank Airport, Denver International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey experienced delays Monday due to the shortages.
Hollywood Burbank Airport, near Los Angeles, had no controllers from 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time. At 6:44 p.m. PDT Monday, the airport posted on social platform X that “operations are continuing.”
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs Newark Liberty International Airport, told The Hill that it is taking “proactive measures” amid the disruptions, including monitoring Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints and border protection inspection areas, and coordination with federal partners.
The Denver International Airport’s media team referred The Hill to the FAA regarding staffing and recommended travelers arrive at least two hours before their departure.
Air traffic controllers, considered essential, are required to work without pay during the shutdown. In January 2019, during the last government shutdown, an increased number of air traffic controllers and TSA employees took sick days, resulting in travel disruptions along the East Coast.
In its shutdown contingency plan, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said more than 11,000 FAA employees — roughly a quarter of the agency’s workforce — would be furloughed. The Trump administration noted, though, that more than 13,000 air traffic controllers would remain on the job and hiring and training of controllers would continue.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a press conference Monday at the Newark airport the country’s air traffic control system is being harmed by the government shutdown. He added that since the lapse in funding began last Wednesday, there has been a slight increase in controllers calling out sick.
“They’re not just now thinking about the airspace,” Duffy said. “They’re thinking about, ‘Am I going to get a paycheck?’”
The Hill has also reached out to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which represents nearly 20,000 air traffic controllers, engineers and flight safety workers, for comment.
At Monday’s press conference alongside Duffy, NATCA President Nick Daniels called on Congress to end the government shutdown. NATCA represents nearly 20,000 air traffic controllers, engineers and other flight safety workers.
When reached for comment, NATCA told The Hill on Tuesday the shortage “is the latest example of how fragile our aviation system is in the midst of a national shortage of these critical safety professionals” and said it is working with the FAA to mitigate disruptions and “supercharge” hiring of air traffic controllers.
“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 union added.