Federal Government Shutdown Causes Flight Delays Across U.S. Airports

Sat Oct 11 2025 00:31:04 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ongoing staffing shortages amid the federal government shutdown are leading to increased flight delays at major airports, as analysts warn of potential holiday travel disruptions.

As the federal government shutdown extends into its seventh day, airports across the United States are experiencing significant flight delays due to staffing shortages. The FAA has reported issues in cities like Nashville, Boston, and Chicago, while air traffic controllers and TSA officers express concerns over the impact on upcoming holiday travel. With critical workers operating without pay, experts warn of worsening conditions as the shutdown continues. Airlines and aviation unions are advocating for a swift resolution to restore normal operations.

Staff shortages caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown have led to increased flight delays across various airports in the U.S. on Tuesday, reaching the seventh day of the shutdown. Union leaders representing air traffic controllers and airport security screeners have warned that conditions might exacerbate if the shutdown continues.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has highlighted staffing challenges at airports including Nashville, Boston, and Chicago, leading to the temporary slowing of airplane takeoffs to these locations. Reported issues earlier in the week also affected Burbank, California; Newark, New Jersey; and Denver due to inadequate staffing levels.

Nonetheless, data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates that about 92% of the more than 23,600 flights departing from U.S. airports on Tuesday afternoon managed to take off on time.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst, emphasized that the likelihood of widespread impacts on the U.S. aviation system is increasing as airport staff continue working without pay, suggesting that if the shutdown persists, it could significantly complicate holiday travel plans in November.

Duffy noted that he’s witnessing rising instances of air traffic controllers calling in sick, which leads to reduced takeoffs and landings to maintain safety protocols. A recent incident at Southern California’s Hollywood Burbank Airport showed the immediate effect of this issue, with the control tower shut down for several hours, resulting in average delays extending up to two-and-a-half hours.

The air travel disruption appears poised to escalate, particularly as the upcoming payday looms, when federal employees may not receive their salaries. Union representatives have urged federal workers to consider the implications of personal financial obligations, as many have reported struggles with bills and living costs during this difficult time.

In an attempt to alleviate some of the hardships faced by their members, aviation unions are making appeals for assistance from food banks, local grocery stores, and airport authorities. For instance, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has initiated a program to provide federal workers with food vouchers to help mitigate their financial burdens.

\u201cWe are committed to supporting our federal employees as they continue to fulfill their duties amid this shutdown,\u201d said John Tiliacos, COO of Florida's Tampa International Airport, where an initiative named 'Operation Bald Eagle 2' aims to assist the 1,100 federal employees working without pay.

This article was first published on Oct. 7, 2025, and updated on Oct. 8, 2025.