Major U.S. airlines have warned that the impending government shutdown could severely strain the nation’s aviation system, resulting in widespread flight delays and travel disruptions. Airlines for America, a trade group representing carriers including United, Delta, American, and Southwest, cautioned that a shutdown would cause slowdowns and impact travellers. “When federal employees who manage air traffic, inspect aircraft, and secure our nation’s aviation system are furloughed or working without pay, the entire industry and millions of Americans feel the strain,” the group said in a statement. The warning comes with precedent. During a 35-day shutdown in 2019, around 50,000 Federal Aviation Administration employees were required to keep working without pay. As the number of absences began to balloon once security officers and controllers started missing paychecks, the FAA was forced to reduce air traffic in New York, adding further pressure on lawmakers to end the shutdown. The potential shutdown, set to begin Wednesday unless a congressional funding deal is reached, threatens to worsen the existing air traffic controller staffing crisis.
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