U.S. Flights Face Mass Disruption as Shutdown Leaves Air Traffic Controllers Unpaid

The US aviation sector is facing immense operational pressure, with widespread flight disruptions reported nationwide, following the commencement of a federal government shutdown on 1st October.

The core of the issue lies with air traffic controllers, who, having been unable to receive their salaries, are increasingly taking leave to seek temporary work. This has resulted in significant delays and cancellations across American airports.

Closure of US Airspace Threatened

On 3rd November, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy informed media outlets that the government would consider shutting down the entire American aviation system if the ongoing shutdown is deemed to compromise the safety of air travel.

Mr Duffy emphasised that while such a drastic measure has not yet been reached, the current situation is characterised by severe delays. He warned that risks would be substantially heightened should the funding impasse continue. This statement follows a warning from US Vice President Vance on 30th October, who said that if the shutdown extends into the Thanksgiving holiday travel period in late November, US air traffic could face a catastrophe.

Calls to Ground All Commercial Flights

Further escalating concerns on 3rd November, Secretary Duffy asserted that all US commercial flights should be grounded. He stated that the critical shortage of air traffic controllers was increasing systemic risks, a situation exacerbated when a single controller is required to perform the duties of two personnel.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implored lawmakers to end the shutdown, citing severe flight delays and cancellations due to these staffing shortages. In a social media statement, the FAA revealed that air traffic controllers are enduring immense stress and fatigue after 31 consecutive days without pay.

The scale of the staffing crisis is severe. The agency reported that half of its 30 core facilities are currently understaffed, with a critical situation in the New York area, where nearly 80% of controllers are absent. In total, this shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners to work without pay.

Thousands of Flights Disrupted

The nationwide controller shortage has severely disrupted flight operations, stranding large numbers of passengers and significantly increasing waiting times, particularly at major hubs such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Data from FlightAware indicates that disruption peaked last Friday. At nearly half of the 30 busiest airports facing staffing shortages, there were over 6,200 delayed flights and 500 cancellations across the United States.

The political deadlock continues, with both chambers of Congress unable to pass a budget bill. Despite Republican control of both the House and Senate, the parties remain at an impasse, with Republicans blaming Democrats for refusing to compromise and rejecting President Trump's proposed budget cuts to Medicaid and other government expenditures.

Amid this stalemate, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are working without pay, while critical services, including airports, have been brought to near paralysis. Currently, Congress has yet to reach any consensus on reopening the government. Analysts warn that should the shutdown persist beyond this week, the US aviation industry could face its most severe operational crisis in two decades.