UPDATED: 2:35 EST on Thursday, October 9, 2025
Over a week into the government shutdown, air passengers are still being impacted by longer wait times at TSA checkpoints and, in some cases, delays caused by less air traffic controllers.
Yesterday, FlightAware data reported a total 4,608 flight delays and 60 cancellations. As of 2:00 p.m. EST, FlightAware is reporting 2,584 delays today and 55 cancellations.
While it’s a smaller number than Monday’s over 5,000 delays, air traffic controllers calling out sick while they remain unpaid are impacting flights across the country. On Monday evening, Hollywood Burbank Airport had to close for a short while because air traffic control wasn’t staffed—after a delay, air traffic control from a nearby airport had to help out.
There was also fear among rural communities about the shutdown impacting funding for EAS flights. Essential Air Service is a program subsidizing airlines to fly to more rural locations that would otherwise be unprofitable to fly, such as to some communities in Alaska.
According to Aviation Week, several regional carriers are committed to continue flying the routes, even if EAS funding runs out during the shutdown.
SkyWest Airlines told the aviation site that “It is our intent to honor our service commitments, including those under the federal EAS program, which provide an essential economic lifeline for the regions we serve.” It also mentioned planning for a long-term shutdown with the regions it operates.
The U.S. Travel Association estimates the U.S. travel industry lost over $1 billion and counting due to the government shutdown. Each week the government is closed equals about $1 billion by estimates. While it may seem like peanuts for the $2.36 trillion industry, the number does impact people: namely, those who work unpaid in TSA and ATC roles.
UPDATED: 8:30 AM EST, October 8, 2025
Air traffic controllers are increasingly calling in sick as the government shutdown draws on, causing delays of over two hours from the East Coast to the West Coast this week.
According to ABC News, flights in and out of Nashville reported over two-hour delays on Tuesday evening this week, with a lack of air traffic controllers prompting controllers in Memphis to assist with flights at Nashville.
Airports including Dallas and Chicago also reported delays on Tuesday, while smaller regional airports are warning about the end of EAS (Essential Air Service) funds, which subsidizes airlines to fly to unprofitable rural regions, including to many places in Alaska.
On Monday, there were nearly 6,000 delays across the country, though only a very small number of cancellations. FlightAware data shows Tuesday had 3,693 delays and only 70 cancellations: a smaller total, but still significant in their impact.
As of this morning, October 8, there are 657 delays and 25 cancellations in the United States. That number is expected to increase throughout the day.
Travelers who expect to take to the skies this week or throughout the government shutdown are advised to visit the airport several hours ahead of usual, as TSA security checkpoints and flights are expected to be delayed. They should also monitor their airline communications to be aware of any potential delays.
TSA expects to continue screening 2.5 million passengers a day through the government shutdown. The TSA security officers are also not being paid.
There are over 13,000 air traffic controllers currently not being paid through the government shutdown. Yet the staffing shortages aren’t a new problem, according to those within the industry.
Nick Daniels, president of the air traffic controller union National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), told ABC News that “It’s a shutdown. You’re finally seeing the issues of a critically staffed air traffic control system. In the last nine months, there have been 1,058 occurrences where one of our facilities has had to shut down, either temporarily for a few hours or for a shift. It’s something that air traffic controllers contend with daily. The shutdown absolutely doesn’t help it, but this is something that we deal with day in and day out.”
NATCA has reported that air traffic controllers will receive a partial paycheck on October 14, but will not be paid on October 28 if the shutdown continues. They will receive back pay once the shutdown ends, according to the law.
The government has been shut down for a week, and air travel is already being impacted, with some sources reporting delays of up to two and a half hours long, with some airports left without any air traffic controllers at all.
According to CNN, that’s exactly what happened at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California on Monday. A pilot had radioed for air traffic control, only to receive a message that “The tower is closed due to staffing.”
The Department of Transportation’s plan for the government shutdown counts over 13,000 air traffic controllers who are considered “essential,” but who will not be paid during the shutdown.
Twelve FAA facilities saw staffing shortages on Monday night, including Burbank, Phoenix and Denver, as well as Jacksonville, Chicago, Washington, DC, Newark and others.
According to FlightAware, which catalogues the world’s commercial aviation delays and cancellations, the total number of delays on Monday was 5,976, though the nation’s airports only reported 84 cancellations.
The United States is reporting a moderate 560 delays this morning, and only 20 cancellations, though the full number is expected to increase as the day continues.
Travelers should be aware that TSA security lines will also be slower than usual, and to arrive at the airport far ahead in advance for long lines and longer wait times. Travelers should monitor their flight status with their airline and prepare for expected delays.
The U.S. Travel Association warned the government about the cost of a government shutdown at the end of September, cautioning that the travel industry alone would lose $1 billion a week during the shutdown.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy spoke at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, telling reporters that the number of air traffic controllers calling in sick has increased since the shutdown.
“So now what they think about as they’re controlling our airspace, is, ‘How am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment?’” said Duffy. “Do I think they’re more stressed right now in our towers? Yes. Is our airspace unsafe? No.”
The longest government shutdown in American history happened in 2018-2019, during President Trump’s first term in office. The 35-day shutdown only ended after ten air traffic controllers on the East Coast called in sick simultaneously, practically stopping air traffic in the region.
“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,” said the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, 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.”
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