Delta and United Urge Congress to Swiftly End Government Shutdown and Ensure Air Traffic Control Funding!

Summary

The prolonged U.S. federal government shutdown severely impacted the nation’s aviation system, prompting major airlines Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to publicly urge Congress to swiftly end the funding lapse and ensure continued support for air traffic control and aviation security personnel. The shutdown forced essential federal workers—including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers—to work without pay, leading to increased financial hardship, absenteeism, and operational challenges across the national airspace system. These conditions contributed to widespread flight delays, staffing shortages, and reduced efficiency at major airports during a critical travel period.
Air traffic controllers faced heightened stress due to missed paychecks and mandatory overtime amid a longstanding shortage of qualified personnel, undermining morale and potentially affecting aviation safety. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded by slowing air traffic at busy hubs to maintain safe operations despite diminished staffing levels, while continuing controller training and hiring efforts despite funding uncertainties. Airlines and pilot unions coordinated advocacy efforts, urging bipartisan Congressional action to pass clean continuing resolutions that would restore funding and stabilize the National Airspace System.
The shutdown’s effects extended beyond immediate operational disruptions, raising concerns about long-term impacts on the aviation workforce and infrastructure. Some controllers sought secondary employment to offset lost income, exacerbating fatigue and retention challenges within the FAA. Industry leaders warned that prolonged funding gaps risk compromising the safety and economic vitality of U.S. commercial aviation, which depends on a robust and well-supported federal workforce.
These developments drew significant public and political attention, with airline executives, union representatives, and government officials calling on Congress to prioritize restoring government operations and funding. Their unified appeals underscored the critical role of federally employed aviation professionals in maintaining national security, passenger safety, and economic stability amid the uncertainty caused by the shutdown.

Background

The United States has experienced multiple government shutdowns resulting from disagreements over budget appropriations between Congress and the President. These shutdowns often lead to widespread disruptions across various federal agencies and services, including those related to transportation and aviation. For instance, the 2013 shutdown during President Obama’s second term centered on conflicts between the Republican-led House of Representatives and the Democratic-led Senate over funding bills and the Affordable Care Act, resulting in halted medical research, toxic waste cleanup, and closures of some National Parks, though many departments continued limited operations.
A particularly impactful consequence of shutdowns involves the nation’s air traffic control system. Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are deemed essential personnel who must continue working without pay during shutdowns, placing significant stress on these workers and potentially affecting safety and operational efficiency. In the 35-day shutdown spanning December 2018 to January 2019, absences among air traffic controllers and TSA officers increased as employees missed paychecks, contributing to longer airport checkpoint wait times and forcing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to slow air traffic in some locations such as New York.
The FAA has faced longstanding staffing shortages, with a deficit of approximately 3,500 controllers even before the recent shutdowns, leading to mandatory overtime and extended workweeks for many controllers. These shortages exacerbate the strain on the system and risk compromising safety redundancies designed to maintain secure airspace. The shutdowns have also hindered critical activities like controller hiring, training, and modernization efforts, with experts warning of potential long-term harm to the air traffic control infrastructure even after government funding is restored.
In response to these challenges, transportation officials, including then-Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, have publicly highlighted the risks posed by shutdown-related staffing issues and urged lawmakers to resolve funding disputes promptly to maintain aviation safety and efficiency. Air traffic controllers and their unions have also actively appealed to Congress to end shutdowns to prevent further operational disruptions and financial stress on essential workers.

Airlines’ Public Statements and Advocacy

During the prolonged federal government shutdown, major U.S. airlines including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines issued numerous public statements urging Congress to promptly pass a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) to restore funding and pay for essential air traffic control and aviation security personnel. These appeals highlighted the critical role that air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and other federal employees play in maintaining the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the national airspace system despite not receiving pay during the shutdown.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged that operations were running smoothly amid the shutdown but expressed concern over growing flight delays caused by shortages of air traffic controllers, which placed increasing strain on the aviation industry. Delta implored Congress to pass a clean CR to ensure that unpaid federal workers could receive their deserved paychecks, emphasizing that missed paychecks heightened stress on employees who were often working mandatory overtime to keep skies safe. The airline also arranged limited meals for transportation sector workers impacted by the funding lapse, recognizing their essential service.
United Airlines echoed this sentiment, with CEO Scott Kirby urging lawmakers to end the shutdown swiftly, noting the economic stress caused by the impasse. United also provided support by feeding unpaid federal workers at multiple airline hubs across the country, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.. Despite operational challenges and a dip in stock performance partly attributed to the shutdown’s effects, United remained committed to advocating for a resolution.
Southwest Airlines joined the calls for an immediate resumption of government operations, underscoring the public’s expectation to travel in a system where air traffic controllers and federal safety employees are compensated timely. The Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations, representing tens of thousands of pilots from various carriers, also pressed Congress to pass a clean CR, stressing bipartisan cooperation to avoid further disruptions in the aviation sector.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and other officials pointed to a slight uptick in sick calls among air traffic controllers, some seeking secondary jobs to compensate for lost wages, as a contributing factor to increased flight delays during the shutdown. The airlines’ unified stance reflected growing concern that the continuation of the funding lapse could exacerbate operational disruptions, compromise safety, and hinder the broader economy reliant on commercial aviation. Through public statements and direct engagement with government leaders, airlines have underscored the urgency of resolving the shutdown to preserve the nation’s air travel system.

Operational and Safety Implications

The government shutdown has significantly strained the operational capacity and safety of the national aviation system, primarily due to the missed paychecks for critical federal employees such as air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and Customs and Border Protection personnel. Air traffic controllers, employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are mandated to work without pay during the shutdown, which has led to growing financial stress and diminished morale, especially among newer controllers who face the dual challenge of mastering a highly demanding job while managing personal financial burdens.
This stress on the workforce has translated into tangible operational challenges, including increased sick calls and staffing shortages that have forced authorities to slow down air traffic at major hubs like New York and Washington, D.C.. Although air traffic controllers can sometimes reroute flights to balance workload, there have been instances where flight operations had to be deliberately slowed to maintain safety standards due to insufficient staffing. Such delays have affected thousands of flights nationwide, with reports of nearly 7,000 delayed flights on a single day during the shutdown.
The staffing crisis is further exacerbated by longstanding shortages in controller numbers, aggravated by high dropout rates and prolonged training timelines. The FAA Academy continues training new controllers despite the shutdown, but the ongoing financial strain on current staff undermines recruitment and retention efforts. Some controllers have resorted to taking second jobs, such as driving for rideshare or delivering food, to compensate for lost income, raising concerns about divided attention and fatigue impacting aviation safety.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and union officials have highlighted the fragile state of the aviation system under these conditions, warning that the financial hardships faced by controllers and other aviation workers could jeopardize the overall safety and efficiency of air travel in the United States. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has actively engaged in public outreach to raise awareness and urge legislative action to end the shutdown, emphasizing that distracted or financially stressed controllers reduce the system’s safety margin.
Despite the operational disruptions, authorities maintain that flying remains safe; however, the need to slow down flights and manage scarce resources inevitably reduces efficiency, leading to delays that impact travelers and the broader economy. The aviation industry and millions of Americans feel the strain as the shutdown continues, underscoring the urgency for a swift resolution to restore stable funding and support for air traffic control operations.

Economic and Workforce Impact

The ongoing government shutdown has significantly strained the aviation workforce, particularly air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, who are required to work without pay. These essential federal workers missed their first full paychecks weeks into the shutdown, with TSA employees missing their first paycheck on October 24 and air traffic controllers following soon after. If the shutdown persists, a second missed paycheck is anticipated, exacerbating financial stress among these workers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported that morale within the workforce has declined markedly compared to six years ago, largely due to worsening staffing shortages and stagnant pay. Controllers face increased pressure as they cope with living paycheck to paycheck, leading to higher absenteeism and a slight uptick in sick leave at some facilities managing high-altitude traffic. Even a small increase in sick calls has led to severe operational disruptions, such as flight delays and cancellations at major East Coast airports.
Union leaders have highlighted the personal hardships faced by controllers, who struggle with basic living expenses such as childcare and transportation amid the furloughs. Some have resorted to seeking food assistance as the shutdown extends into its second month, further underscoring the toll on these workers’ well-being. This situation threatens not only individual livelihoods but also the overall safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System, given the critical role these workers play in managing air traffic and security checkpoints.
The aviation industry is also feeling the economic impact as flight delays mount due to staffing shortages and necessary safety measures that slow traffic flow. Airlines have expressed concern over the mounting operational challenges, with delays reaching nearly 7,000 flights on a single recent day and cumulatively stressing the system during the busy holiday travel season. While airlines themselves are not responsible for paying federal employees, the absence of timely pay for controllers and TSA staff contributes to increasing stress and overtime requirements, placing additional burdens on an already stretched workforce.
Efforts by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association to raise public awareness include distributing informational pamphlets at major airports and urging travelers to pressure Congress to end the shutdown. These actions emphasize the critical need for stable funding to maintain the safety and reliability of the air travel system. Industry experts and officials stress that the slowdowns and ground delays currently in place serve as precautionary measures to uphold safety standards, yet prolonged funding gaps threaten to undermine the system’s effectiveness and the economic health of the sector.

Political and Legislative Context

Government shutdowns in the United States typically arise from disagreements over budget appropriations between the executive branch and Congress or between the two chambers of Congress themselves. Under the U.S. Constitution, the responsibility for appropriating and controlling government funds lies solely with Congress, which initiates the process by proposing appropriation bills that set spending levels for federal departments and programs. Shutdowns often occur when either the president vetoes or threatens to veto appropriations bills or when one or both congressional chambers—frequently controlled by opposing political parties—fail to reach consensus on funding legislation.
The 2013 government shutdown serves as a notable example, occurring during President Obama’s second term and resulting from disputes primarily between the Republican-led House of Representatives and the Democratic-led Senate. Congressional Republicans, influenced by conservative senators like Ted Cruz and advocacy groups such as Heritage Action, attempted to delay funding for the Affordable Care Act through amendments to the 2014 Continuing Appropriations Resolution bill. Despite the shutdown lasting three days and causing disruptions across government functions, the impact was less severe than previous shutdowns, with many departments continuing operations and only a third of National Parks closing.
Political dynamics following such shutdowns often involve efforts to pass bipartisan budget agreements to restore funding stability. For instance, after the 2013 deadlock, the Senate debated the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act to secure military funding and extend government financing temporarily. However, changes in congressional control and leadership can further complicate negotiations. For example, shifts in House leadership and the arrival of new members, such as the swearing-in of 40 new House Democrats and the reinstatement of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have altered the legislative environment in past shutdown scenarios.
During recent shutdowns, key industry stakeholders like airline companies and pilot unions have actively urged Congress to pass clean continuing resolutions to end funding gaps and mitigate operational impacts. These calls for action reflect broader bipartisan pressure on lawmakers to resolve disputes swiftly to maintain essential services and economic stability.

Lobbying and Direct Engagement by Airlines

During the government shutdown, major U.S. airlines and their unions actively engaged in lobbying efforts and direct public outreach to urge Congress to promptly pass a clean continuing resolution to restore government funding, particularly for air traffic control and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), representing approximately 30,000 pilots, joined airlines in calling on lawmakers to end the shutdown, emphasizing the critical role of aviation professionals in maintaining safe skies and reliable air travel.
Union leaders, including the Allied Pilots Association President First Officer Nick Silva, publicly highlighted the pressures faced by air traffic controllers and TSA officers who continued working without pay, underscoring the importance of bipartisan congressional action to fund the National Airspace System and avoid further disruptions. Airlines coordinated with their unions to mobilize members to distribute leaflets and engage with travelers at major airports such as LaGuardia, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, encouraging the public to pressure Congress to end the funding stalemate.
At press conferences held at key airport locations, airline executives and union representatives made joint appeals stressing the detrimental impact of the shutdown on the aviation sector and passenger experience. These appearances served to amplify the message that continued government funding is essential to prevent flight delays and ensure national security within the aviation system. By combining lobbying efforts with direct public engagement, airlines and their unions sought to increase political pressure on Congress to swiftly resolve the shutdown and secure funding for critical air traffic control operations.

Contingency Measures and FAA Operational Responses

During the government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented several contingency measures to maintain safe air traffic operations despite significant staffing shortages. The FAA announced that it would “slow traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations” in response to these shortages, directing travelers to its website for real-time updates on flight impacts across U.S. airports. This approach reflects the agency’s effort to manage capacity within the National Airspace System (NAS) under strained conditions.
The air traffic control system, designed with multiple layers of redundancy to maintain safety, began experiencing erosion of these safety buffers due to the reduced workforce. To mitigate risks, the FAA employed alternate strategies such as shifting workloads from facilities experiencing acute shortages to better-staffed centers. The Air Traffic Control System Command Center utilized a variety of tools to balance operational demands and maintain system integrity.
Despite ongoing challenges, the FAA maintained that the system remained safe. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that safety was the paramount concern, stating that when controller availability decreases, air traffic is deliberately slowed to keep operations within manageable limits. This proactive slowing of traffic, while causing delays, was intended to preserve safety amid uncertainty caused by the shutdown.
Training and hiring activities at the FAA Academy continued uninterrupted during the shutdown, ensuring the pipeline for new controllers remained active. This marked a change from previous contingency plans and aimed to address long-term staffing deficits. However, the FAA still faced a shortage of approximately 3,800 fully certified controllers compared to its target, exacerbating the strain

Public and Industry Reactions

The ongoing government shutdown has prompted widespread concern from both public officials and the aviation industry due to its impact on air travel safety and operations. Key sectors such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and air traffic control have experienced rising absenteeism, with reports of up to 50 of 225 TSA officers at Philadelphia International Airport calling out or arriving late, reflecting growing unease among federal employees about financial uncertainty during the shutdown. Michael McCormick, a former FAA air traffic control leader, emphasized that the disruption extends beyond air traffic controllers to other critical government aviation workers, including TSA staff.
Industry groups and airline executives have underscored the severe strain placed on the national aviation system. Airlines for America, a lobby group representing major carriers such as Delta, United, and American Airlines, highlighted the dedication of federal employees who continue working without pay to maintain safety and operations, while the broader industry and millions of travelers bear the burden of the shutdown’s effects. United Airlines has publicly acknowledged the efforts of federal employees, arranging meals for transportation sector workers at key hubs including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.. Delta Air Lines has similarly provided limited meals for these workers while adhering to federal regulations.
Union officials and airline leadership have voiced urgency in resolving the shutdown. Pilot unions, including the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, have issued statements urging Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government, emphasizing the fragility of the aviation system amid staffing shortages of critical safety personnel. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby called for swift congressional action, suggesting that contentious policy debates such as healthcare should be deferred until after the government is reopened.
Further concerns were raised by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who at a press conference detailed the shutdown’s detrimental effects on air traffic control training and recruitment, warning that funds for trainee stipends are nearly depleted. Air traffic controller union officials have noted that some furloughed controllers have sought alternative employment, including driving for ride-hailing services, to cope financially. Meanwhile, union leaders stress that professionalism and union credibility are at risk during this period of uncertainty, with potential long-term impacts on the workforce.

Resolution Efforts and Aftermath

During the government shutdown, major airline unions and associations, including the Allied Pilots Association and the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), collectively urged Congress to pass a clean, nonpartisan Continuing Resolution to reopen the government and restore funding for air traffic control operations. Allied Pilots Association President First Officer Nick Silva emphasized the critical role of federal employees such as air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and Customs and Border Protection staff, highlighting their continued work without pay and the resulting strain on the aviation system. Silva called on elected leaders to act with urgency to prevent further disruption to the safe and efficient facilitation of the national airspace. Similarly, CAPA, representing 30,000 pilots, and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) underscored the immense pressure already faced by air traffic controllers and the broader air traffic system, urging Congress to pass funding without delays.
The shutdown had tangible negative effects on government revenue and various sectors, including tourism and the airline industry, with millions of dollars lost due to halted processing of passports, visas, medical research, and toxic waste cleanup. Despite the disruptions, some government departments such as the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency managed to continue functioning during the brief shutdown, and only a fraction of National Parks were closed. Following the shutdown, legislative efforts focused on bipartisan budget agreements to provide extended funding for the military and government operations.
Concerns about the impact on air traffic controllers intensified as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the shutdown exacerbated longstanding staffing shortages, which had already been affecting morale and operational efficiency. The additional stress from missed paychecks and prolonged uncertainty contributed to lower morale among controllers, particularly among trainees who face a demanding learning environment combined with financial hardships. The shutdown further strained an aviation system coping with chronic understaffing, lengthy training periods, and high attrition rates.
While the FAA continued classes at its Academy and maintained controller hiring and field training during the shutdown, the agency also implemented precautionary measures such as slowing air traffic and imposing ground delays to maintain safety amid staffing shortfalls. Experts and industry representatives highlighted that these safety-driven delays, although inconvenient, were necessary to uphold aviation security and efficiency under strained conditions. The uncertainty around pay and job stability led some air traffic controllers to consider alternative careers, raising concerns about long-term staffing challenges and retention within the FAA.
The coalition of airlines, pilot unions, and aviation experts stressed that the shutdown’s impact went beyond immediate operational disruptions, threatening the broader economic role of commercial aviation and the connectivity it provides to Americans and the global community. Their united calls for a swift resolution reflected the critical need to restore funding and support to a system vital to national safety and economic stability.

The content is provided by Avery Redwood, 11 Minute Read