Shutdown Triggers Multi‑Hour Flight Delays, Unmanned Tower

The U.S. government shutdown that began Oct. 1 has left essential federal workers, including air traffic controllers, working without pay while roughly 40% of the federal workforce faces unpaid leave. Controller “sickouts” and staff shortages at about a dozen FAA facilities have forced the FAA to slow operations and contributed to nearly 6,000 delayed flights nationwide, with multi-hour delays and some cancellations at major airports including Newark, Denver, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Hollywood Burbank and Boston/Logan. Hollywood Burbank’s tower was temporarily unmanned, requiring flights to operate under non‑tower procedures and producing delays of more than 2.5 hours and long waits for travelers. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association warned members that failing to report could lead to termination, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said safety remains the priority amid controllers’ pay concerns. DOT officials warned the disruption echoes the 2019 shutdown and that contingency plans anticipate thousands of FAA furloughs if funding is not restored.