The federal government of the United States of America has officially entered a shutdown, following a budget standoff that resulted in Congress failing to extend funding beyond midnight last night. Naturally, this has a wide range of implications, and one of the impacted areas will be air travel.
Indeed, as the government oversees certain aspects of the aviation industry in the United States, many of its employees may be furloughed. Meanwhile, government aviation workers in roles deemed to be essential face the prospect of having to work without pay, which some advocacy groups have warned will place considerable strain on the country’s airline ecosystem. Let’s take a look at what’s occurring.
Advocacy Groups Are Urging The Government To Find A Solution
In the days and hours leading up to last night’s eventual shutdown, Airlines For America (A4A), a notable US-based airline advocacy group, urged the country’s leaders and lawmakers to come up with a solution that would enable them to keep the government open. To this end, it argued that “travelers and the dedicated federal employees who protect and maintain our nation’s aviation system deserve continuity.”
A4A has also warned that American passengers may face delays in the coming days as a result of the shutdown, saying that “aviation is the safest mode of transportation, but to maintain that, the system may need to slow down, reducing efficiency.” Data from Flight Aware shows that 287 United Airlines flights have already been delayed today, with American (239) and Delta (228) not faring much better. A4A says:
“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. We appreciate the men and women who will be going to work, despite not receiving a paycheck, to ensure the safety and security of the traveling and shipping public.”
The Shutdown Undermines Recent Progress
Aside from the safety risks from strained departments and the operational disruption faced by US passengers in the form of delays and cancellations to their flights, A4A has also spoken out against the government shutdown as it undermines recent progress in aviation. The group notes that it comes “on the heels of Congress approving $12.5 billion to modernize the FAA’s antiquated air traffic control system.”
Another recent milestone highlighted by Airlines For America when it comes to recent progress in US aviation was the Department of Transportation’s air traffic control hiring drive following recent shortages. Meanwhile, the shutdown also risks undermining the nation’s recent record passenger numbers.
The delays and disruptions that air passengers may face amid the shutdown are closely tied to the essential workers being made to work without pay. Indeed, the BBC recalls that, during the last shutdown in 2018 and 2019, such employees increasingly called in sick, resulting in staff shortages.
Wide-Ranging Ramifications
As well as air traffic controllers, the BBC highlights the fact that the Transportation Security Administration ( TSA) is a government agency as well, meaning that airport security workers will also be among those made to work without pay. As such, any strain on this front may delay passengers in the form of longer wait times before they even board their flights, which may then be further delayed.
There are also less direct consequences of the government shutdown as far as the aviation sector in the United States of America is concerned. For instance, the BBC notes that the processing of travel documents such as passports may take longer, potentially making foreign travel more of a faff.
On the safety side of things, the 2018-19 American government shutdown also impacted NTSB work. Indeed, back then, 365 employees were furloughed, resulting in delays to 87 incident investigations. Similarly, according to Reuters, the FAA has said that, under shutdown conditions, it will not be able to train or hire air traffic controllers. Needless to say, those involved will be hoping for a prompt resolution.
