Travelers at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California were met with substantial delays and confusion as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the airport's air traffic control towers would be unmanned from late afternoon until 10 p.m. local time. This unprecedented situation unfolded amid the ongoing government shutdown, now in its sixth day, with no immediate resolution in sight.
On the ground, the lack of air traffic controllers led to a reliance on TRACON, a regional air traffic control team based in San Diego, to manage the airport’s arrivals and departures. This shift in operations highlighted the critical nature of air traffic control staff and the broader implications of the government shutdown on national transportation safety and efficiency.
The situation drew sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, who took to social media to blame President Donald Trump for the staffing shortages that precipitated the disruption. In a tweet, Newsom pointedly thanked Trump for the shutdown’s impact on Burbank Airport. The White House, when prompted for comment, released an automated message blaming Democrats in Congress for the shutdown and reiterated the administration's position that the situation could have been avoided with Democratic support for a clean Continuing Resolution.
Beyond Burbank, the ripple effects of the shutdown were felt at other major airports. Denver International Airport reported ground delays averaging 40 minutes, while Newark Liberty International Airport experienced delays nearing an hour. This nationwide impact raised concerns about the duration of the shutdown and its toll on air traffic controllers, who were working without pay and under increased stress.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke out about the added financial pressure on controllers, highlighting the risks to both their personal well-being and the safety of the flying public. Duffy also noted that while the FAA's training academy for air traffic controllers was still operational, the shutdown threatened to impede the hiring and training of new personnel.
The shutdown’s effects extended to the Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes air service to smaller communities and was at risk of running out of funds. Secretary Duffy emphasized the program's bipartisan support and its importance for maintaining connectivity, especially in remote areas.
Amidst the political blame game, Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, sidestepped partisan rhetoric and called for an end to the shutdown. He stressed the need for aviation safety professionals to focus on their critical work without the distraction of the shutdown.
As the standoff in Washington continued, airports across the nation braced for further disruptions, while travelers faced a landscape of uncertainty regarding when normal operations would resume.
