FAA to Furlough 11,000 Employees as U.S. Government Shutdown Proceeds

The U.S. Transportation Department has warned that more than 11,000 employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—nearly a quarter of its total workforce—would be furloughed if lawmakers fail to approve a federal spending package by the midnight October 1 deadline. The move highlights how a partial government shutdown could ripple through the nation’s aviation system, straining airlines, airports, and passengers alike.

Controllers and TSA Forced to Work Without Pay

While over 11,000 FAA staff would be temporarily sidelined, the agency said its 13,000 active air traffic controllers would remain on the job, but without pay. Already short about 3,800 controllers compared to target staffing levels, the FAA faces ongoing pressure to manage traffic safely and efficiently. Even with hiring and training set to continue during the shutdown—unlike in previous standoffs—the stress on current controllers could lead to slower operations and flight delays.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), with more than 50,000 officers staffing airport checkpoints, would also continue working without pay. During the record 35-day shutdown in 2019, absences among TSA agents surged, triggering long lines at airports nationwide. Similar staffing issues this time could snarl security lanes at major hubs like Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.

Safety Oversight and Accident Investigations at Risk

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that about 25% of its 400 staff would be furloughed. Unlike past shutdowns where 90% of employees were sent home, the agency has secured more resources this time to continue investigating major incidents. Ongoing probes, including the high-profile January 29 mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter that killed 67 people, will not be interrupted. Still, the NTSB warned that reduced staffing could slow responses to new accidents.

The FAA added that certain safety-critical functions would continue, such as certification of commercial aircraft and engines, and oversight of commercial space launches. However, other work—like modernization programs, performance reviews, and long-term safety initiatives—could stall.

Airlines and Travelers Brace for Disruption

U.S. airlines have already sounded alarms. Airlines for America, which represents United, Delta, American, Southwest, and other carriers, warned that if funding lapses, “the system may need to slow down, reducing efficiency” and potentially disrupting travel schedules. Past shutdowns saw delays at airports including New York’s LaGuardia, Newark, and Philadelphia when controller absences forced the FAA to temporarily reduce air traffic volume.

The U.S. Travel Association estimates a shutdown would cost the broader U.S. travel industry $1 billion per week in lost revenue. The impact would extend beyond airlines to hotels, car rental agencies, and attractions—many of which depend heavily on tourism and business travel.

The FAA employs about 45,000 people overall, and the Transportation Department as a whole has more than 53,000. If no deal is reached, 12,200 of those staff would be furloughed, with the remainder expected to keep critical functions running under intense financial strain.

While planes would continue flying, the combination of unpaid controllers, unpaid TSA officers, and sidelined support staff sets the stage for a system under duress. A short shutdown may result in only modest slowdowns, but a prolonged impasse could create cascading effects across U.S. aviation—delays, cancellations, strained safety oversight, and a multi-billion-dollar hit to the travel economy.


Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=FAA, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com