Longer delays and additional flight cancellations could be ahead for air travelers as one of the longest government shutdowns in history drags on with no end in sight, one former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official warned Sunday. The current shutdown reached its 27th day on Monday, as Senate lawmakers remain deadlocked over a Republican-backed continuing resolution that, with more Democratic support, would reopen the government.
Former FAA deputy administrator Dan Elwell, who served as acting FAA administrator during the 2019 shutdown, shared his insights about the potential impact of the ongoing crisis. He cautioned that air traffic controllers, who are essential personnel, are being asked to work without pay and are reaching their breaking point. Elwell explained that the strain on controllers during the 2019 shutdown became critical after 25 days of the 35-day shutdown, and this is now mirroring that scenario. He noted that the stress on controllers is significant and could lead to more flight delays and cancellations if the situation continues to worsen.
Elwell emphasized that the current financial strain on air traffic controllers could result in difficult choices for supporting their families, which may eventually lead to some of them being unable to report for duty. This could have a detrimental effect on the air traffic control system, which is already facing shortages. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also raised concerns about these shortages, warning that the FAA will have to implement slowdowns in its operations to maintain safety, which will be extremely costly for air travelers.
Political tensions are also intensifying as the shutdown continues. Senate lawmakers remain deadlocked over a Republican-backed continuing resolution that includes provisions for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy extensions. Democrats are hopeful that Republicans will come to the table to address their demands, which could be a critical factor in resolving the stalemate. The prolonged shutdown not only threatens the air travel system but also has broader economic implications, as the financial strain on essential workers and the resulting service disruptions could impact various sectors of the economy.