Points Guy founder Brian Kelly explains how the government shutdown is worsening the FAA and air traffic controller shortages on “The Claman Countdown.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is bracing for nationwide air traffic disruptions Tuesday evening as staffing shortages hit several major control centers, including Chicago, Nashville, Houston and Las Vegas.
Officials said the shortages, which come amid the ongoing government shutdown, will increase the likelihood of flight delays, reroutes and overnight ground stops.
As of 3:00 PM CST, the FAA has issued a two-hour curfew for Nashville International Airport from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM CST due to air traffic controller staffing shortages at the Memphis Center (ZME).
American Airlines Jet cancels takeoff after LAX Runway raid
The FAA Air Traffic Control Tower is seen at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey on May 7, 2025. (Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty images)
Shortages are expected after 6 p.m. at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Nashville International Airport Control Towers, with additional shortages at Terminal Radar Approach Control (Tracon) facilities in the Las Vegas, Houston, Boston, New Jersey and Philadelphia areas, according to an FAA operations plan.
An arrival delay advisory has been issued for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, DC
An American Airlines Airbus A319 aircraft takes off past the air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Airlines warn the government shutdown could disrupt flights, strain the aviation system
Fox 11 Los Angeles Previously reported that on Monday, Hollywood Burbank Airport in California went without air traffic controllers for almost 6 hours and their arrival and departure duties were transferred to a Tracon facility in San Diego.
Several Flight cancellations Targeted travelers and delays reached nearly three hours, according to the report.
“Thank you, @realdonaldTrump! Burbank Airport will have zero air traffic controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm today due to your government shutdown,” California Gov. wrote. Gavin Newsom on X.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed the government shutdown on Democrats and urged them to reach an agreement. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy hit back at the governor on “Fox & Friends” Tuesday, saying Republicans voted to keep the government open, while “it was Democrats who voted to close it.”
Duffy stressed that flight safety remains the top priority, and stressed air traffic controllers are essential workers who are “showing up for work”, but warned many are doing so without pay due to the lockdown.
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Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, joined Duffy in calling for an end to the shutdown, saying the FAA and its safety professionals must “put this distraction behind us” to fully focus on their mission to maintain air safety.
