• Over 5,500 flights delayed nationwide due to air traffic controller shortages amid the federal shutdown.

• Nearly 13,000 FAA controllers and 50,000 TSA officers working without guaranteed paychecks.

• FAA forced to slow operations, raising fears of cascading disruptions during peak travel season.

• Similar delays occurred during the 2019 shutdown, prompting warnings of system fragility.

• No resolution in sight as Congress remains deadlocked over funding.

The U.S. aviation system is buckling under the weight of a federal government shutdown, with major airports across the country—including Newark, Denver, Phoenix and Burbank—experiencing significant flight delays due to mounting air traffic controller absences. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed Monday that staffing shortages, exacerbated by financial uncertainty, have forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to deliberately slow operations to maintain safety.