Shutdown strain: Industry rallies behind air traffic controllers amid ongoing US Government shutdown
October 22, 2025
With the US Government Shutdown entering its 23rd day, air traffic controllers are receiving unwavering support from industry stakeholders.
Monday 20 October marked the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller. Established by the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATCA) and celebrated by industry giants including Airbus, the day “celebrates the men and women who 24/7 help make air travel the safest possible mode of transport.”
From taxi to take-off to touch down! 🛬
— Airbus (@Airbus) October 20, 2025
Today we celebrate the unsung heroes who work night and day helping make air travel safe at airports all around the world. 🌍 Happy International Day of the Air Traffic Controller #ATCO pic.twitter.com/i4Bz8lV8VI
This year’s celebration was particularly poignant, however. Some 13,000 air traffic controllers in the US are currently working without pay, following the US Government Shutdown.
Why is there a government shutdown?
The shutdown began on 1 October, after a partisan disagreement. The Democrats and Republicans disagreed on the appropriations bills to fund government operations for the Fiscal Year 2026.
According to US regulations, different government branches must reach an agreement on spending plans before they can become law. Subsequently, more than 700,000 federal employees have been furloughed. However, as air traffic controllers are deemed essential workers, they are obliged to work during the shutdown without pay.
Air traffic controllers share messages of global solidarity
In a demonstration of support air traffic controller associations and other aviation stakeholders worldwide have offered their solidarity with their US colleagues.
In a statement on its website, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) said: “NATCA members are facing uncertainty and stress because of the government shutdown. These dedicated professionals are showing up to work each day, not knowing when their next paycheck will arrive.”
In a letter to NATCA, Jorge Caro Galvez, President of ATC Chile said: “We are aware of the significant challenges and uncertainties you currently face, which deeply trouble and concern us as fellow professionals. The pressure of carrying out your essential safety duties, especially in the midst of ongoing and unfair circumstances such as the federal government shutdown, is a burden no controller should have to bear. To work without pay or under the threat of instability goes against the respect, dignity and responsibility inherent to our profession.”
Similarly, the Irish Air Traffic Controllers Association (IATCA) said US air traffic controllers “are working under immense pressure, understaffed, without pay and with uncertainty hanging over their heads, all while being used as political leverage. Air traffic control should always be about safety and never as a political bargaining tool.”
Over the past couple of weeks, the pilots of the Delta MEC showed solidarity and support for the controllers of @NATCA by sending pizza to every tower cab and TRACON serving a Delta hub.
— Delta Air Lines Pilots (@Delta_Pilots) October 16, 2025
Thank you to our ATC colleagues who are showing up unpaid and still working tirelessly to… pic.twitter.com/2mANdfcPlp
Meanwhile, members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents more than 80,000 pilots have provided food packages to NATCA members at air traffic control facilities across the country.
Shutdown strain beyond air traffic controllers
Over 4,000 flights have been delayed across the US as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responds to staff shortages during the shutdown.
The US shutdown has also slowed FAA certification activities. Lufthansa’s new Boeing 787-9s (equipped with its new premium cabin concept – the Allegris business-class seats) are currently being held up. The seats have yet to be approved for passenger use by the US regulator. While Lufthansa has several 787-9 aircraft ready for delivery, the incomplete certification means they cannot be fully deployed or must fly with up to 85% of the business-class cabin seats blocked from passenger use.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff have also been impacted by the government shutdown. Despite this TSA confirmed that it screened nearly 2.1 million people (-0.9%YoY) on 21 October. Average wait times were 3,69 minutes in standard lanes and 1.81 minutes in TSA PreCheck lanes.
Also considered essential workers, TSA staff must continue to work throughout the shutdown without being paid.
While all federal employees have been promised back pay after the shutdown ends, many have complained that they can’t keep working without pay, as they still have bills to pay.
