Airlines across the United States are preparing for what could become one of the most significant disruptions to air travel in years if a government shutdown takes effect. Industry leaders warn that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would be forced to furlough thousands of employees, including air traffic controllers and safety inspectors, potentially grounding flights and delaying operations nationwide.
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines have all sounded the alarm, noting that even short-term interruptions could ripple through the aviation network. United, in particular, said it may proactively cancel flights from its Newark hub, a key artery in the nation’s air traffic system. Delta warned that reduced FAA staffing would “meaningfully impact” operations across multiple airports, while Southwest Airlines said it is closely monitoring the situation.
If Congress fails to pass a funding bill, the FAA could see more than 13,000 controllers and nearly 3,000 safety inspectors affected by furloughs. Essential workers would still be required to report for duty but without pay, while all training for new controllers would come to a halt. Industry experts say that could exacerbate an already critical staffing shortage that has left many airports operating on the edge of capacity.
The shutdown would also pause crucial FAA certification work, including ongoing reviews of Boeing’s 737 Max 7 and Max 10 aircraft, delaying airline fleet expansions. Safety inspections, aircraft manufacturing oversight, and certification renewals would be suspended until the government reopens -a move that aviation analysts warn could have long-term safety and economic consequences.
The industry is haunted by memories of the 2019 shutdown, which lasted 35 days and brought the aviation system to its knees. During that period, a surge in sick calls among unpaid controllers led to ground stops at major airports in New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Today, the FAA has around 1,200 fewer certified controllers than it did a decade ago, leaving little margin for error.
Travelers could face headaches beyond flight delays. TSA officers and Customs and Border Protection agents would also have to work without pay, raising fears of longer lines and reduced staffing at checkpoints. The State Department, meanwhile, would likely suspend processing of passports and Global Entry applications, further slowing travel for thousands of Americans.
Airlines for America, the trade association representing the country’s largest carriers, has urged lawmakers to avoid a shutdown, warning that the effects could extend far beyond the aviation industry. “The last thing travelers and businesses need is another avoidable disruption,” the group said in a statement.
With the busy holiday travel season fast approaching, both the White House and industry executives are calling for immediate action. The aviation sector, which is still rebuilding after the pandemic, now faces the prospect of another major setback -one that could leave millions of passengers stranded and the skies far less friendly.
