As the federal government shutdown continues, US airports are facing maximum travel chaos, with major hubs like Austin-Bergstrom, San Francisco International, Hollywood Burbank, Nashville, and others struggling to keep operations intact.
The shutdown has led to severe staffing shortages, grounding flights and causing unprecedented delays. As a result, travelers are experiencing shattered trip plans and endless frustration. Airports across the nation are dealing with air traffic control shortages, long security lines, and cancelled flights. The disruption is affecting not only domestic flights but international ones too, leaving passengers stranded and stressed.
Major cities like Austin, San Francisco, and Nashville are seeing a spike in delays, while Hollywood Burbank faces its own unique challenges due to the lack of federal workers. This widespread chaos is showing no signs of stopping as the shutdown persists, and passengers need to prepare for more disruptions.
As the US government shutdown enters its 14th day in October 2025, its impact on the aviation industry is becoming painfully clear. Airports across the nation are facing severe disruptions, with passengers experiencing delayed flights, increased cancellations, and staffing shortages. Federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, are working without pay, further exacerbating the chaos at major airports. From Texas to California, the ripple effect of the shutdown is being felt at some of the busiest hubs in the country. This article delves into the real-time consequences of the shutdown and the struggles airports are facing due to unpaid federal workers.
In Austin, Texas, the usually smooth operations of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport have been severely impacted. On October 13, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground delay program that resulted in significant disruptions. Flights from the airport were delayed for an average of 40 minutes, with some delayed by up to 94 minutes. This disruption occurred during one of the busiest days in the airport’s history, just after the conclusion of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. With over 41,000 people passing through security, the staffing shortage in air traffic control worsened the situation.
The delays were directly linked to the shortage of certified air traffic controllers, a problem exacerbated by the ongoing government shutdown. The FAA has been unable to fully staff its control towers, which has had a domino effect on flight schedules. As more airports face similar issues, it’s clear that the shutdown is not just an inconvenience for passengers—it’s a safety risk as well. Air traffic controllers are essential for the safe management of flights, and their absence creates a significant problem for airports nationwide.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), another major hub, also felt the impacts of the shutdown. On October 13, 2025, SFO faced severe delays—almost half of all flights were delayed, totalling 434, and seven flights were cancelled. The delays were partly due to severe weather conditions, but the major contributing factor was the shortage of air traffic controllers and TSA officers.
During past shutdowns, San Francisco has experienced similar delays, and it seems that history is repeating itself. The timing of this disruption couldn’t have been worse, as the Dreamforce conference, attended by nearly 50,000 people, was taking place in the city. Many international visitors were caught in the delays, exacerbating the frustrations of both business travellers and tourists alike.
Once again, the government shutdown is shining a spotlight on how vulnerable the aviation industry is when key personnel are not available. The staffing shortages at TSA checkpoints and air traffic control towers result in longer wait times, delayed departures, and cancelled flights, all of which affect the travel plans of thousands of people.
Hollywood Burbank Airport in California was thrown into disarray on October 6, 2025, when the air traffic control tower remained unmanned for over five hours due to the shutdown. This caused over 80 flight delays and multiple cancellations. Average delays reached an astonishing 2.5 hours, affecting passengers’ travel schedules.
Unlike larger airports like Los Angeles International (LAX), which has extensive backup systems, Burbank’s smaller size made it particularly vulnerable. The absence of air traffic controllers meant that flights couldn’t depart as scheduled, and incoming planes were forced to circle for extended periods.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that smaller airports, which rely on a limited number of personnel, are particularly sensitive to federal staff shortages. As the shutdown continues, airports like Hollywood Burbank could see further disruptions, with fewer staff to manage both routine and emergency operations.
On October 7, 2025, Nashville International Airport (BNA) joined the growing list of affected airports. The airport’s air traffic control tower was shut down at 5 p.m. due to the federal government shutdown, creating delays of up to two hours for passengers. As a major hub for both domestic and international flights, Nashville saw its operations severely hindered by this staffing shortage.
The loss of control tower services meant that flights couldn’t be scheduled or managed as efficiently, leading to cascading delays throughout the airport. Nashville has seen an increase in passengers in recent years, and a lack of staff during the shutdown meant that even the simplest operations were disrupted. While the delays were not as severe as those seen at larger airports, the pattern of increased cancellations and delays was clear: the shutdown was taking a heavy toll on operations.
While airports in Texas have largely avoided major operational disruptions, the impact of the federal government shutdown is still being felt in Dallas-Fort Worth. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) have seen brief delays due to air traffic control shortages, but they have managed to maintain normal operations compared to other major airports.
In a city like Dallas, which serves as a hub for American Airlines, the ability to keep things running smoothly is crucial. However, with air traffic controllers working under heightened stress due to the shutdown, there is still cause for concern. The next few weeks could see delays become more common as more staff are furloughed or stretched thin. Although DFW and DAL have not experienced the severe issues seen at other airports, they remain at risk as the shutdown continues.
It is clear that staffing shortages caused by the federal shutdown are not isolated to a few airports. The FAA has reported significant delays across airports such as Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago. Smaller regional airports are also feeling the strain, with air traffic controllers and TSA officers absent from their posts. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has warned that the situation could worsen, particularly during peak travel periods such as holidays.
The aviation industry is struggling to maintain the same level of safety and efficiency with a reduced workforce. The absence of air traffic controllers and TSA workers is a dangerous scenario. Without enough personnel, airports are unable to manage the flow of air traffic effectively, which can lead to delays, accidents, and even crashes in extreme cases.
The ripple effect of the federal shutdown is being felt by airlines, too. With more flights being delayed or cancelled, airlines are forced to adjust their schedules, which can be a costly operation. Aircraft are grounded for longer periods, staff are stretched thin, and passengers are left with limited options for rescheduling flights. Airlines are also bearing the cost of rebooking passengers and providing compensation, which adds up quickly.
Travelers are the most directly impacted group. Thousands of people across the country have had their travel plans disrupted, from business executives attending important conferences to families trying to visit loved ones. With many travelers facing increased delays, they are left with few answers. The shutdown has created an environment where air travel is uncertain, and that uncertainty is leading to confusion and frustration at airports nationwide.
The ongoing government shutdown is wreaking havoc on multiple sectors, but the aviation industry is taking a significant hit. Federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA workers, are not receiving their salaries, leading to staff shortages at key airports. While Texas airports like Dallas-Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field are functioning relatively smoothly, the situation in Austin has worsened. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced ground delays on Monday, showing just how crucial the issue of staffing shortages is for the travel industry.
Federal aviation authorities, such as the FAA, have been forced to implement ground delay programs due to the lack of staff. These delays have added up to 90 minutes to flight times, causing frustration for passengers and airlines. Austin’s airport had already been facing heavy traffic, as it marked the fourth busiest day in its history with more than 41,000 people passing through security, largely due to the aftermath of the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
On Monday afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated a ground delay program starting at around 4 p.m., lasting until 9 p.m. The FAA implemented this measure as a direct response to a shortage of air traffic controllers. The ground delay led to a cascade effect, where flights departing Austin were delayed, resulting in average delays of 40 minutes, with some flights delayed by more than 90 minutes. These delays disrupted travel for thousands of passengers.
The timing of the delays was particularly problematic. It came at the end of the second and final weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the region. As a result, a high volume of travellers was trying to leave the city. The delays not only inconvenienced passengers but also highlighted the strain that a government shutdown can place on airport operations.
At the heart of the delays is the growing shortage of federal employees at critical positions in airports. The root cause? The ongoing government shutdown, which has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without paychecks. This includes air traffic controllers, security personnel, and TSA workers, all of whom play vital roles in keeping airport operations running smoothly.
While Texas has largely avoided significant issues, airports in other regions, including Austin, are now feeling the strain. The lack of paid staff members is a critical issue that continues to disrupt airport operations across the country. With air traffic controllers and TSA officers among those impacted, the situation could escalate further if the government shutdown continues. The government must find a solution, as airports cannot function properly without these essential personnel.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has spoken out about the need for immediate action to address staffing shortages. According to Duffy, ensuring that air traffic controllers and other essential workers are paid is a priority. He emphasized the importance of having workers focused on their tasks without the distraction of financial concerns. Duffy highlighted the critical role that air traffic controllers play in maintaining the safety of air travel.
The shutdown is poised to affect not only civilian federal workers but also active-duty military personnel. Starting on Wednesday, active-duty service members may miss their paychecks if Congress fails to reach a resolution by then. Although President Trump has directed the Pentagon to ensure that military members are paid, the situation remains fluid, and many federal employees, including those working in transportation, face continued uncertainty.
Moreover, Senate and House staff are also set to miss paychecks later in the month. Senate staff will begin missing their paychecks on October 20, followed by House staff on October 31. If the government shutdown persists, it could result in further staffing shortages across federal agencies, adding more pressure to essential services like air travel.
With the shutdown showing no signs of ending soon, airlines are preparing for an extended period of disruptions. Many carriers have begun to adjust flight schedules to account for delays caused by staff shortages. However, with air traffic controllers working at reduced capacity, there is little they can do to prevent delays from becoming a widespread issue.
The aviation industry’s response to the shutdown will have long-term effects on travel. Passengers are being encouraged to check flight statuses regularly, particularly when flying out of airports with known staffing issues. Airlines are also working with airport authorities to mitigate the impact of the delays, but as long as the shutdown continues, more disruptions are expected. The ongoing uncertainty is a major cause for concern among both passengers and airline operators.
While the impact on air travel has garnered significant attention, the shutdown’s effects extend far beyond airports. Federal agencies responsible for tourism, national parks, and other public services have also been affected. The shutdown disrupts not only the daily functioning of government services but also the livelihoods of millions of federal workers across the country.
The travel and tourism industry, which heavily relies on federal oversight and staffing, is feeling the strain. National parks, which are a major draw for tourists, are closed or operating at reduced capacity, further discouraging travellers. Additionally, services like passport processing and visa issuance have been delayed, creating further challenges for international travel.
The ongoing government shutdown is creating a perfect storm for US airports. Staffing shortages are creating delays, cancellations, and confusion, which is having a cascading effect on the airline industry and the thousands of travelers who rely on these hubs. While some airports like Dallas-Fort Worth have been able to maintain operations, many others, including Austin and San Francisco, are struggling to keep up with the demand.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is clear that airports across the country will face continued disruptions. Passengers are advised to monitor flight statuses regularly and be prepared for potential delays, especially if the government shutdown persists. The aviation industry needs to be prepared for further challenges ahead as air traffic controllers, TSA workers, and other federal employees are caught in the ongoing battle of unpaid wages and staffing shortages.
The federal shutdown has once again shown how vulnerable the aviation industry is to staffing issues. As the shutdown drags on, the pressure on airports and airlines will only grow, and the consequences for travelers will continue to mount.
