by Leslie Majkrzak ‘27

The ongoing government shutdown recently set a record for the longest in United States history. The shutdown was initially caused by failure to pass new spending bills and is dragging on due to a lack of compromise between the Democratic and Republican parties. This is affecting government employees of all types, all across the country. However, the air travel industry was hit especially hard by the shutdown, with a shortage of air traffic control workers whose jobs are crucial to the safe flying of planes. Controllers had to work long hours without receiving a paycheck, forcing some to take on another part-time job to make ends meet. Many are choosing to call in sick to avoid working for free or because they are too tired and overworked to do their crucial job effectively. As a result, there is an increased shortage of air traffic controllers, leading to frequent flight delays and miscommunication.

On November 5, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it would cut thousands of flights per day due to the shutdown. This means that flight capacity at major airports across the country will decrease by up to 10 percent. If the government shutdown continues to drag on, whole airspaces will have to be closed in the near future. Many airlines are offering refunds for customers regardless of the conditions of their ticket. Duffy told ABC News that cutting flights is a proactive measure to reduce the risk profile in the national airspace. Bryan Bedford, the administrator of the FAA, adds that, “We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent, you know, things from deteriorating.” Some air traffic controllers claim the shutdown is already impacting system safety, as one controller has to do not only their own job, but also the work of absent coworkers. 

This issue is becoming increasingly concerning as the holidays roll around, with many people relying on air travel to visit family and friends during the upcoming months, beginning with Thanksgiving. Not to mention, lots of people who travel for their daily jobs are constantly affected. Throughout the holiday season, airports typically experience higher-than-normal passenger numbers, which is troubling because they are currently unable to support their average passenger numbers. 

Winter weather is expected to worsen the situation, making it hard for understaffed and overworked air traffic controllers to make sure flights are safe and limit delays. For those planning to travel by air during the holidays, it is suggested to book your flights far in advance, arrive especially early for your flight, and have a backup plan in case your flight is delayed or cancelled.