Airports across the United States descended into widespread disruption on Wednesday as the government shutdown entered its second week, triggering severe staffing shortages in air traffic control towers and grounding thousands of flights.
Travelers were met with long lines, cancellations and delays at major airports including Denver, Albuquerque and Los Angeles, as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials confirmed that control facilities in all three cities were operating with limited personnel.
The FAA said Denver’s tower would remain understaffed until midnight, Albuquerque until 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Los Angeles through midnight.
Air traffic control towers across the country are reporting similar problems, with some forced to suspend operations temporarily due to inadequate staffing levels.
Several airports have had to divert or cancel incoming flights, citing safety risks in the absence of fully operational control centers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the crisis Wednesday in a series of media appearances, warning that staffing shortages had become the primary factor behind a surge in flight delays nationwide.
“Historically, there’s about five percent of delays attributed to staffing issues in our towers,” Duffy told Fox News host Will Cain.
“The last couple days it’s been 53 percent.”
The data marks a tenfold increase in staffing-related delays compared to typical operational conditions.
According to FAA sources, the situation is expected to worsen if the shutdown extends into a third week, as more air traffic controllers fail to report for unpaid shifts.
Duffy emphasized that the majority of controllers continue to report for duty despite financial hardship, but noted that growing frustration among federal employees is leading to more absences.
“My message to the air traffic controllers who work for DOT is show up for work,” Duffy said.
“You have a job to do, and by the way, those who have shown up, I’m grateful for them and their service.”
He acknowledged the human toll behind the disruptions, noting that many controllers are “stressed out” and “rebelling on this shutdown because they may not get paid.”
Duffy added, “They’re working six days a week. They’re keeping America operational, and they’re not guaranteed a paycheck. They’re frustrated by it, and so not coming into work.”
The cascading effect of the shutdown extends far beyond major hubs.
Nearly 200 rural and remote communities face losing their only access to commercial aviation services within days, the New York Post reported.
The U.S. Department of Transportation confirmed Monday that the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which subsidizes flights to over 170 small airports across all 50 states, will run out of funding by Sunday.
The EAS program was created to maintain air service to rural communities after airline deregulation.
Without the subsidies, small airports may be unable to pay pilots, ground crews, or maintain fuel supplies.
The Transportation Department warned that if the shutdown continues, these airports will be forced to suspend operations, cutting residents off from critical services such as medical care and emergency transport.
“Airports, airlines, and pilots could have no choice but to shut down,” the department stated.
“That means thousands without access to work, hospitals, and other essential services they depend on.”
Duffy reiterated his call for federal employees to continue working, stressing that their pay will be restored once the government reopens.
The Post further noted that during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, he said, “I’m encouraging air traffic controllers to show up for work. They need to go to their jobs. They need to control the airspace.”
Still, Duffy acknowledged the emotional strain faced by air traffic controllers and other essential workers.
“They are stressed out,” he said. “They are wondering, how do they put food on the table? How do they pay their mortgages if their paycheck doesn’t come through?”
Industry leaders are also sounding alarms about the long-term impact of the shutdown on aviation safety and modernization.
A letter from Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu to Secretary Duffy, obtained by Reuters, called for immediate action to sustain the air traffic control system and prevent further deterioration.
Sununu’s letter urged the FAA to secure “quick wins” in its ongoing $12.5 billion modernization effort, including implementing updated airspace designs, acquiring advanced simulators to improve controller training, laying new telecommunications infrastructure and upgrading radar and radio systems.
“These initial wins will create tangible benefits for the traveling and shipping public,” Sununu wrote, “help coordinate messaging on progress and boost optimism on the prospects of moving the project to completion.”
Airlines for America represents the nation’s largest carriers, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines.
All have experienced major operational setbacks since the shutdown began, with carriers forced to consolidate routes, delay flights and reassign crews to cope with limited tower communication.
Industry analysts warn that even if the shutdown ends soon, recovery will not be immediate. Delays in training, scheduling and maintenance could persist for weeks.
The Post added that the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has reported that morale among controllers is at a historic low.
Meanwhile, stranded passengers continue to face uncertainty.
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