The government shutdown is snarling air travel. Officials say it could get worse

The government shutdown is snarling air travel. Officials say it could get worse

Rachel Treisman

Joel Rose

October 07, 2025 / 9:58 am

Travelers across the U.S. are beginning to feel the impacts of the government shutdown, as air traffic control staffing shortages disrupt flights across the country.

A dozen Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities saw staffing shortages on Monday, according to an evening advisory from the agency.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy held a press conference at one of them, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, where he blamed the nationwide delays on a "slight tick-up in sick calls" by air traffic control workers.

Duffy said controllers are concerned about working without pay during the shutdown, with some considering taking