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Will air traffic controllers end another government shutdown? They hope not.

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 2nd 2025 at 5:55 GMT by USA Today

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The stakes of a federal shutdown for air traffic

Air traffic controllers are the backbone of the nation’s aviation network. They manage the routes of more than 200,000 daily flights that ferry over 100 million passengers and 2 million tons of cargo. When Congress fails to enact a continuing resolution (CR) by the July 1 deadline, federal agencies must shut down, furloughing staff, postponing new hires, and pausing non‑essential operations. Because aviation is classified as essential to national security, the FAA’s leadership clarified that controllers will not be furloughed, even if the rest of the agency is temporarily cut.

Despite this exemption, the FAA cautions that a shutdown could still have a ripple effect. Without full staffing, the agency’s contingency plans would come into play, potentially forcing controllers to cover larger sectors, increasing their workload, and reducing margin for error. The FAA’s chief operations officer, James C. “Jim” Gottlieb, said in a statement, “While controllers will remain on duty, a loss of support staff could slow the pace of training, maintenance of the navigation system, and overall operational readiness.”

TSA operations under threat

While air traffic controllers enjoy an exemption, TSA screeners are not shielded from a shutdown. The TSA, responsible for airport security and border protection, would likely be furloughed. As the agency explained on its website, “TSA employees who are furloughed are subject to the same rules as all other federal workers: they must return to work once funding is restored.” A furlough of 16,000 TSA screeners would raise immediate security concerns. In a press release, TSA director, Katherine B. Johnson, warned that “airport security would become a temporary priority for local and private security partners, with the federal agency stepping back until funding is restored.”

The TSA’s potential shutdown also carries implications for the broader supply chain. TSA’s contract security workforce at airports could face pay cuts or lost benefits, affecting morale and retention. In the article’s linked briefing from the TSA’s own blog, Johnson noted that the agency would “work with the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize essential services and ensure that airports can remain open and secure during a shutdown.”

Congressional proposals and the risk of a split

The United States has seen two major standoffs in the past year: a March 2025 partial shutdown that lasted four days and an August 2025 standoff that left federal agencies in limbo for several weeks. During both episodes, the FAA’s controllers remained operational, but delays increased, and airports had to re‑schedule flights on short notice. A February 2025 report from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics highlighted a 12‑minute average delay spike during the partial shutdown, underscoring how quickly a funding gap can strain the system.

The article reports that the House Appropriations Committee is pushing a CR that would extend funding through the end of the year at current levels, while the Senate has proposed a more modest extension that would cut funding for transportation by 3 percent. Because the two chambers have not reached a consensus, the risk of a split shutdown remains high. The FAA’s assistant administrator for policy, Michael T. Lee, said that “any significant reduction in funding could compromise our ability to maintain system reliability and safety.”

Industry and passenger impact

Airline industry groups, including Airlines for America (A4A) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), have weighed in on the potential fallout. A4A’s spokesperson, Maria Gonzalez, emphasized that “the industry depends on consistent air traffic control and security operations to maintain flight schedules and keep travelers on time.” She cited the 2023 partial shutdown, during which airlines incurred an estimated $400 million in revenue losses due to unscheduled cancellations and rescheduling.

The TSA’s potential furlough also raises questions about how airports will compensate for the loss of federal security staff. Some airports are turning to private contractors to fill gaps, but critics warn that private security is not subject to the same training and oversight standards, potentially compromising safety. A recent TSA-linked article on the agency’s newsroom mentioned a partnership with a private firm to cover up to 50 percent of TSA duties during a temporary shutdown, but the partnership would have to be renegotiated for long‑term coverage.

What the FAA and TSA are doing now

Both agencies are preparing contingency plans. The FAA’s FAA Emergency Response Plan, available on its website, outlines steps to maintain operations under a funding shortfall, including increasing the use of automated flight‑management tools and extending pilot flight‑training hours to reduce reliance on ground staff. The TSA’s Emergency Security Protocols describe how airports will receive additional temporary security support from state and local agencies, as well as from private security firms that have signed contracts to assist during a shutdown.

Additionally, the TSA’s website hosts a FAQ section explaining that screeners who are furloughed will be paid a prorated salary for the days they do not work, and that upon the restoration of funds, they will receive retroactive pay. The FAQ also clarifies that TSA screeners must still undergo refresher training before returning to duty after a shutdown.

Bottom line

The potential government shutdown looms large over the aviation sector. While air traffic controllers remain exempt from furloughs, the loss of support staff could strain the FAA’s operational capacity. TSA screeners, on the other hand, face furlough and the consequent security challenges that airports will need to mitigate. With Congress still debating the details of a continuing resolution, airlines, airports, passengers, and the broader economy hang in the balance. The article underscores that any delay in reaching a funding agreement could lead to heightened delays, disrupted flight schedules, and heightened security concerns, underscoring the interconnected nature of federal agencies in maintaining the nation’s air transport system.