US Government Shutdown Causes Major Flight Delays, Safety Concerns Rise

Washington, November 4, 2025: The ongoing US government shutdown, now stretching into its 34th day, has severely disrupted air travel across the country. With thousands of federal employees working without pay, major airports are struggling to operate smoothly, leading to mounting flight delays, long queues, and growing safety concerns.

At the heart of the crisis are air traffic controllers and TSA screeners, many of whom have either stopped reporting for duty or taken second jobs to manage expenses. The staffing shortage has affected key airports including Orlando, Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Newark, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose precautionary flight delays.

On October 30, flights at Orlando International Airport were delayed for hours after officials confirmed that no certified air traffic controllers were available in the tower. The FAA temporarily halted arrivals, describing the move as necessary to maintain safety.

Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, warned that the shutdown is directly impacting aviation safety.

“Every single day that this goes on, tomorrow is less safe than today,” Daniels said. “We’re supposed to be 100% focused, but workers are struggling to pay rent and feed their families.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged that the situation poses “more risk in the system,” but emphasized that airspace would be shut down completely only if safety was compromised. “We’re not there yet, but the delays are significant,” he told CNBC.

The shutdown has led to extensive ground delays at major hubs. At Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport, TSA checks are taking up to three hours, while passengers in Chicago and Denver report growing frustration over last-minute cancellations.

Keith Jeffries, former TSA federal security director at Los Angeles International Airport, said the situation is likely to worsen.“Callouts will continue to rise as frontline employees are forced to make tough decisions about whether to work without pay,” he said.

Experts, however, insist that most controllers are acting responsibly by staying home if they are not fit to perform. Mike McCormick, a professor of Air Traffic Management at Embry-Riddle University, noted, “By recognizing their limitations and not reporting to work in unsafe conditions, controllers are actually helping to keep the system safe.”

Meanwhile, Erik Hansen, senior vice president of the US Travel Association, warned that the shutdown is eroding public confidence in air travel.“The system will never compromise safety, but we are absolutely compromising predictability and reliability for travelers,” he said.

Union leaders and airline executives have jointly appealed to Congress to end the deadlock immediately, citing risks to both workers and passengers.“Our message is simple — open the government, and it has to open now,” Daniels urged.

As the impasse drags on, millions of travelers across the US remain caught in uncertainty — waiting for both their flights and their government to finally take off again.