Washington: The US shutdown, now stretching into its 34th day, is wreaking havoc on the nation’s aviation network, with growing flight delays and long airport queues as unpaid air traffic controllers and security staff increasingly stay home.
According to CNN, thousands of essential aviation employees — including air traffic controllers and TSA screeners — have been working without pay since the shutdown began. Mounting financial pressure has forced many to take on side jobs or call in sick, leading to widespread staffing shortages.
Delays Across Major Airports
Flight operations at key hubs such as Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Newark have been heavily impacted, with passengers facing hours-long waits and cancellations. Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport warned travelers that security screening could take up to three hours because of limited staff availability.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the situation’s seriousness, saying that the delays were a necessary precaution. “Yes, there’s more risk when you have a shutdown,” he said in an interview with CNBC. “If we believed the system was unsafe, we would shut down airspace entirely. Right now, it’s about managing significant delays while keeping safety intact.”
Controllers Sound the Alarm
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, warned that the prolonged US shutdown is eroding worker morale and endangering aviation safety. “Every day that this continues, tomorrow becomes less safe than today,” he said. “Controllers are expected to be 100% focused, but it’s hard to concentrate when you’re worrying about rent or groceries.”
Safety Concerns and Staff Morale
Experts say the decision of many controllers to stay home rather than work under extreme stress may paradoxically help maintain safety. Mike McCormick, an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, noted, “Controllers know their limits. By not reporting to work when they’re not mentally ready, they’re preventing potential safety lapses.”
However, Keith Jeffries, a former TSA federal security director, said absenteeism is expected to increase as the shutdown drags on. “TSA workers are facing impossible choices — go to work without pay or stay home to support their families. Call-outs will continue to rise,” he said.
Industry Leaders Call for Resolution
Airlines and travel industry groups warn that the ongoing stalemate is damaging the reliability of the nation’s air transport system. Erik Hansen, senior vice president of the U.S. Travel Association, said, “While safety won’t be compromised, predictability has taken a major hit. Passengers can’t rely on flight schedules anymore.”
Union leaders and aviation executives have issued a unified plea to Congress and the White House to end the gridlock. “Our message is simple,” Daniels said. “Open the government — and open it now.”
With no agreement yet in sight, travelers across the U.S. face an increasingly uncertain holiday season marked by delays, cancellations, and growing frustration — a visible reminder of the far-reaching effects of Washington’s political deadlock.
