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The partial shutdown of the federal government, which has already entered its second week, is starting to have a real impact on U.S. aviation.
Although air traffic control (ATC) personnel have been classified as essential and must continue working during the budget paralysis, they do so without receiving a salary, which is generating dangerous levels of stress and absenteeism.
During a press conference at Newark Liberty Airport, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy raised concerns about the situation:
"The government shutdown is causing more stress for air traffic controllers, who already have an extremely stressful job."
This is compounded by the economic uncertainty faced by thousands of federal workers.
"Now, while they control our airspace, what they're thinking is: how am I going to pay the mortgage? How do I pay for the car? I have a couple of kids at home. How can I put food on the table?" Duffy pointed out.
"I work six days a week. Do I have to look for a second job and drive for Uber when I'm already exhausted from a job that is stressful...?" he added.
With air safety at stake, Secretary Duffy delivered a direct message to lawmakers:
"Our air traffic control personnel deserve to go to work, receive their salary, and not be distracted by a government shutdown that threatens their well-being and the well-being of their families. Stop playing politics with the safety of Americans! Open the government!" he wrote on X.
The secretary emphasized the emotional tension this creates: “They have bills. So now they think about that while simultaneously managing airspace, which I don’t like. We want them to leave their personal problems at the door when they enter a tower or facility.”
In statements to CNBC, Duffy emphasized that the situation is not contained to a single location:
"I don't see a consistent location... what I see is a small issue in one installation that then gets resolved and appears in another place. But we are seeing problems in the system."
First signs: Delays and towers without staff
Staff shortages have already caused delays at key airports.
According to the portal Travel Market Report, on Monday delays were reported at the airports in Newark (EWR), Denver (DEN), and Hollywood Burbank (BUR).
In the latter case, between 4:15 PM and 10:00 PM, the tower had no controllers and was operated remotely from San Diego.
Although the percentage of affected flights remains low, authorities acknowledge the risk of escalation if the situation is not resolved.
"We have seen a slight increase in calls (due to illness). You will notice delays as a result. Our priority is safety, so if we receive additional calls, we will reduce the flow to a pace that is safe for the American public," Duffy stated.
He was even more emphatic about the consequences of keeping the airspace open without the proper conditions: “The Department of Transportation will not allow flights to operate if there are issues in the airspace. We will close it,” he warned.
Direct impact on the training of new controllers
The aviation system is already facing a staffing deficit that has worsened in recent years. More than 90% of the country's towers are below the ideal staffing level, according to CBS News.
Duffy explained that, thanks to previous funds, the air traffic control academy in Oklahoma City remains open, but there is a real risk that instructors will be laid off if funding is not restored.
"I am concerned about the impact on the hiring and training of new controllers in the hope of eliminating the persistent shortage," he said.
Small communities, the most exposed
Another critical impact of the closure falls on the Essential Air Services (EAS) program, which subsidizes flights to rural communities.
"That money runs out this Sunday. Therefore, many small communities across the country will no longer have the resources to ensure air service in their community," Duffy warned.
"This program has strong bipartisan support and represents a vital resource for many small communities. It is especially important in Alaska, where flying is the only means of travel between many communities," he stated.
The union message: Work yes, but with dignity
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which represents over 20,000 professionals, has urged its members to uphold responsibility.
“Participating in a strike could result in the termination of federal service. It is not only illegal, but it also undermines the credibility of NATCA and severely weakens our ability to effectively advocate for your interests and those of your families,” the union communicated to its members.
In a video on TikTok, the president of NATCA, Nick Daniels, was clear about the human impact: "The government shutdown creates uncertainty and challenges for our members."
However, he also demanded an immediate solution from Congress:
"We need to put an end to this shutdown so that the Federal Aviation Administration and the professionals dedicated to aviation safety can move past this distraction and fully focus on their vital work."
A closure with dangerous precedents
During the government shutdown of 2018-2019, which lasted 35 days, 10% of TSA personnel reported being sick, causing chaos at security checks and halting flights.
Today, with a structural shortage of controllers, experts warn that the effects may be felt more quickly and be more severe.The Federal Aviation Administration guarantees back pay once the government reopens, but that does not alleviate the daily pressure that workers are under.
The government of the United States officially entered its first shutdown in nearly seven years in the early hours of October 1st.
The lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans on the fiscal budget for 2026 has resulted in a state of institutional paralysis that threatens to have tangible consequences for millions of people in the country.
The White House has blamed the Democrats for the shutdown.
Congress failed to approve a temporary funding plan in time that would have kept basic services running while budget negotiations continued.
The conflict revolves around a dispute over health subsidies and spending cuts driven by President Donald Trump, who, in his second term, has sought to aggressively reduce the size of government.
Impact of the U.S. government shutdown on air traffic and its political context
How does the U.S. government shutdown affect air traffic?
The U.S. government shutdown is causing stress and absenteeism among air traffic controllers, which has begun to result in delays at major airports such as Newark, Denver, and Hollywood Burbank. This situation could escalate if the budget conflict is not resolved, impacting the safety and efficiency of U.S. airspace.
What does the government shutdown mean for federal workers?
Essential federal workers, such as air traffic controllers, must continue to work without receiving pay during the government shutdown. This creates economic uncertainty and stress, impacting not only their personal well-being but also the safety of the operations they oversee.
What is the political background of the U.S. government shutdown?
The government shutdown is a consequence of the lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans regarding the fiscal budget for 2026. The conflict centers on the spending cuts promoted by President Donald Trump and health subsidies, with each party blaming the other for the institutional paralysis. Trump has used this shutdown as a strategy to pressure Democrats and advance his political agenda.
What services are affected by the U.S. government shutdown?
During the government shutdown, non-essential services are temporarily suspended, which means unpaid leave for hundreds of thousands of employees and disruptions in public services. Sectors such as education, student loan processing, food inspections, and the operation of national parks are especially vulnerable.
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