US EditionNewsom Blasts Trump, Duffy over Shutdown’s Impact on Air Travel
Flight delays and cancellations at Hollywood Burbank Airport stemmed from a staffing shortage linked to the federal shutdown, causing average inbound delays of 2.5 hours, FAA said.
- On Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, Hollywood Burbank Airport's control tower went unmanned from 4:15 p.m. until about 10 p.m., forcing remote management and causing flight delays.
- NATCA leaders and FAA officials pointed to sick calls and recruitment shortfalls, linking air traffic controller absences to the federal government shutdown that began October 1 and a 3,000-controller deficit.
- Flight tracking data showed inbound delays averaging about two-and-a-half hours, departures about 40 minutes, while Southwest Airlines canceled six flights and FAA reported longest delays of three hours and 55 minutes.
- Southern California TRACON assumed control of the airspace and FAA said safety was preserved, while the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and Gov. Gavin Newsom urged Congress to end the shutdown.
- Analysts warned that continued stalemate could make more nights resemble Monday and risk Essential Air Service funding by Sunday, increasing pressure on U.S. Congress to act.
42 Articles
42 Articles
Government Shutdown Leaves Burbank Airport Without Traffic Controllers Temporarily
Flight operations returned to normal Oct. 7 at the Hollywood Burbank Airport, airport officials reported, after an air traffic controller shortage left the airport with an empty control tower the night before. From 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 6, air traffic controllers left the tower unmanned as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown. By midday Oct. 7, the airport reported all flights inbound and outbound were on time at the airport, …
Burbank Airport Faces Air Traffic Controller Shortage
Source: Mario Tama / Getty As the federal government shutdown reaches the one-week mark, we’ve begun to see the ripple effects in day-to-day life. On Monday night, Hollywood Burbank Airport , commonly referred to as Burbank Airport, was among several airports hit with significant flight delays due to a staffing shortage of air traffic controllers. According to the New York Times, delays at Hollywood Burbank Airport averaged two and a half hours …
The government shutdown spotlights America's air traffic controller shortage—but those who qualify can make $145,000 every year
The U.S. government shutdown is affecting the livelihood of thousands of air traffic controllers, as they’re expected to keep working without a paycheck. It’s led to major staffing shortages and employees calling out sick, delaying flights and packing airports with travelers anxious about safety risks. Airports all around the country—from Newark and Phoenix to Denver and Los Angeles—are all experiencing staffing issues. In California, Hollywood…
An airport in Southern California operated without air traffic controllers on Monday afternoon, state governor Gavin Newsom reported, as the U.S. government shuts down. Hollywood’s Burbank Airport, which connects with dozens of U.S. cities, ran out of personnel in its control tower for a period of six hours, detailed Newsom. “Thank you @realDonadlTrump!”, the governor wrote in X. “Burbank’s airport has zero traffic controls from 4:15 pm to 10 pm…
Federal Shutdown Enters Seventh Day, Causing Air Traffic Control Staffing Shortages
Photo: Mike De Sisti ~ USA TODAY NETWORK WASHINGTON D.C., Oct. 7, 2025 ~ The federal government shutdown entered its seventh day Tuesday, causing continued disruption to government services. One service that is being disrupted is air traffic control, with multiple airports across the country seeing staffing shortages at their air traffic control towers. This led to Hollywood Burbank Airport‘s control being shut down for several hours on Monday,…
Newsom blasts Trump, Duffy over shutdown’s impact on air travel
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) criticized President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over the shortage of air traffic controllers at Hollywood Burbank Airport on Monday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a publicly available advisory Monday that Hollywood Burbank Airport, located near Los Angeles, experienced delays due to a shortage of air traffic…
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