Shutdown Threatens Air Travel: US Warns of ‘Mass Chaos,’ Potential Airspace Closures

The federal government shutdown is creating an emergency for U.S. air travel. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of “mass chaos” if the standoff continues into next week. This statement comes as the shutdown ties the record for the longest in American history.

The core issue is a critical staffing shortage. Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are legally essential, but they are working without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires about 13,000 air traffic controllers. Many of these employees have already missed one paycheck and face missing a second one soon. This financial pressure forces more workers to call in sick.

Staff shortages are already causing widespread disruptions. The FAA must slow down or temporarily halt air traffic when controller levels are too low to ensure safety. Last weekend, over 10,000 U.S. flights experienced delays. If the situation worsens, Duffy cautioned the government may need to close parts of the airspace.

Experts call closing airspace due to staffing “unprecedented.” The entire air traffic system is connected, so even a partial closure could cause nationwide flight cancellations. Airlines and travel groups have urged Congress to act quickly. They warn that continued delays could ruin the approaching Thanksgiving holiday travel period and cost the economy billions of dollars.