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Payments to Air Controllers halted amidst government shutdown; Flights Canceled and Delayed

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Business Honor - Flights Halted Amid U.S. Shutdown Crisis

Business Honor
25 October, 2025

Nationwide flight cancellations and delays are occurring due to mounting air controller and staffing shortages during the government shutdown.

An estimated 13,000 air traffic controllers and roughly 50,000 transportation security officers are required to work despite the shutdown, with air traffic controllers set to miss their first full paycheck release on Tuesday. “We fear there will be significant flight delays and cancellations in major airports across the country this holiday season,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X. This will take a major toll on the transportation and logistics sector of the US.

Reports from the US Department of Transportation highlighted that last week absences among air traffic controllers has accounted for 53% of flight delays since the shutdown began, compared to a normal rate of 5%. The pressure remains particularly in New York and Washington where air traffic has been intentionally slowed to maintain safety, resulting in a major suffering in supply chain. The FAA is currently 2500 controllers short, with many employees already working extra hours.

Lawmaking and important bill passages are paused. Comments from analysts have indicated that travel could become more difficult and uncertain in the coming weeks. As this situation progresses, lawmakers are being forced to take action to address the issue of the shutdown. Following his comments about not adhering to the FAA which halts payment to controllers, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson urged Democrats to introduce legislation to reopen the government.

The Senate is working on legislation to compensate essential and necessary employees who are working overtime during the shutdown, while Democrats are pushing Republicans to include more subsidies in their reopening proposal. Unions and airlines are pressuring travelers and operations representatives from both parties to halt the shutdown.