Burbank Tower Unmanned Amid Shutdown, Widespread Delays

On Oct. 6, Hollywood Burbank Airport’s air traffic control tower went unmanned from about 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. as the federal government shutdown forced controllers to work without pay, prompting Southern California TRACON in San Diego to assume approach duties and pilots to self-manage ground movements. The gap contributed to widespread delays—departures to Burbank averaged about 151 minutes and passengers nationwide faced average delays of roughly 2.5 hours (up to four hours)—and similar staffing shortages disrupted operations at Newark, Denver, Phoenix, Detroit, Las Vegas and other airports. Some 13,000 U.S. air traffic controllers and tens of thousands of TSA workers are required to work unpaid during the shutdown, exacerbating a long-term shortfall of roughly 3,000 controller positions and prompting a rise in sick calls and reports that staffing at some centers has been cut by as much as half. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA warned the slowdown and increased absences are straining safety margins, could force reduced traffic flows or route cuts if the shutdown continues, and said the agency scrambled to bring in staff but could not guarantee coverage. California Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed former President Trump for the staffing gaps, while the air traffic controllers’ union urged members to keep working and called on Congress to resolve the funding lapse.