Question: “How does a government shutdown affect air travel and airport security?”
When Congress fails to fund the federal government, the impact reaches far beyond Washington. One of the first and most visible consequences is at America’s airports. During a shutdown, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other aviation personnel continue to work because they are considered essential — but “essential” does not mean unaffected.
The longer a shutdown continues, the more it erodes staffing, morale, and the overall efficiency of the security system that protects air travelers every day. Now, major airline CEOs are warning that it could also begin eroding public trust in aviation safety itself.
Why TSA and Air Traffic Control Feel the Pinch
TSA officers and air traffic controllers are still required to report for duty — without pay. In the short term, most continue working out of professional commitment and pride in public service. But as days turn into weeks, the financial and emotional toll grows. Officers begin to call in sick, take temporary jobs, or even leave permanently for more stable work.
This isn’t theoretical — we’ve seen it happen before. During the 2019 shutdown, sick calls among TSA agents surged, causing significant checkpoint delays. In the current shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reports that nearly 10% of air traffic controllers are calling in sick daily (CNN 2025), forcing some airports to operate with unmanned towers for hours at a time. The result: thinner staffing, longer lines, and mounting operational stress.
Industry Leaders Sound the Alarm
This week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby warned that a prolonged shutdown could erode public confidence in flying. “At first, people thought it was going to get resolved,” he said, “but as time goes on and headlines worsen, people start to lose confidence in the government’s ability to ensure safety — and that’s when it begins to affect bookings.”
Delta CEO Ed Bastian echoed the concern (CNBC 2025) saying his airline hasn’t yet seen an impact but expects one if the shutdown continues beyond another 10 days. The trade group Airlines for America added that each passing day heightens the risk of burnout and error among unpaid air traffic controllers.
Even without measurable impacts yet, these warnings reflect a growing anxiety throughout the aviation sector: safety isn’t just about machines and procedures — it’s about people. When those people are distracted, fatigued, or financially stressed, the system’s resilience weakens.
What Travelers Can Expect
Travelers should prepare for longer security lines and slower checkpoint processing as TSA capacity shrinks. While airline operations like boarding and baggage handling are not federal functions and generally remain unaffected, the ripple effect of delays at security checkpoints can still cause missed flights and congested terminals.
Airline wheelchair assistance programs, which are operated by private contractors, should continue as usual — though getting to the gate could take longer. Passengers whose flights are canceled should use airline apps or customer service lines to rebook, as most carriers are offering automatic rebooking during the disruption.
A Tough Year in the Skies
The industry’s growing unease comes in the context of a difficult year for U.S. aviation safety. Since January, four major crashes — including one in Washington, D.C., and another in San Diego — have claimed dozens of lives. While none were directly caused by staffing shortages, the ongoing shutdown threatens to slow safety oversight, audits, and modernization efforts that prevent future tragedies.
Even temporary pauses in FAA training and maintenance programs can have long-term ripple effects, delaying the next generation of air traffic controllers and creating gaps in readiness that take months to fill.
The Path Forward
TSA has taken short-term steps to mitigate the damage — reassigning staff to the busiest airports and adjusting screening priorities — but these are only stopgaps. Airlines and airports continue to urge passengers to arrive early and remain patient, but as United’s Kirby warned, “every day that goes by, the risk to the U.S. economy and to public trust grows.”
Ultimately, the aviation system relies on stable funding and predictable operations. Every day that the government remains closed, morale weakens, fatigue rises, and the cracks in the system widen. Once confidence in aviation safety begins to erode, it takes far longer to rebuild than it did to lose.
Bottom line: America’s aviation network is resilient — but not indestructible. We owe it to the professionals who keep us safe, and to the traveling public, to restore stability before confidence in one of the world’s safest systems begins to waver.
Jeffrey Price
Professor MSU Denver, Aviation & Aerospace
Aviation Security Specialist | Leading Edge Strategies
CNN. (2025, October 9). Shutdown leaves air-traffic controllers working without pay for hours before the shutdown. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/09/us/shutdown-air-traffic-controllers#:~:text=It%20is%20against%20the%20law,hours%20worked%20before%20the%20shutdown
CNBC. (2025, October 16). Government shutdown: United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby warns of risk to travel confidence. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/government-shutdown-united-airlines-ceo-scott-kirby.html#:~:text=Read%20more%20CNBC%20airline%20news&text=Delta%20Air%20Lines%20CEO%20Ed,in%20the%20New%20York%20area
Additional FAQ:
What really happens to TSA operations during a government shutdown?
When funding stops, TSA agents are still required to show up for work — but without a paycheck. In the short term, most continue out of pride and public duty. But the longer it lasts, the harder it becomes. Officers start calling in sick, taking temporary jobs, or leaving altogether. That loss of focus and morale inevitably shows up in slower lines, longer wait times, and increased stress at the checkpoints. “Essential” doesn’t mean unaffected — it just means they’re carrying the weight of keeping the system running with fewer resources and more uncertainty.
Why are airline CEOs warning that public trust could erode?
Airline executives are seeing what those of us in aviation security have known for years: safety depends on people, not just technology. When passengers hear that the people responsible for their safety are unpaid and overworked, it naturally undermines confidence in the system. Even if nothing goes wrong operationally, perception becomes reality — travelers start to wonder if safety oversight or response capabilities are being compromised. And once public trust in aviation safety starts to waver, rebuilding it takes far longer than anyone expects.
How does a shutdown affect the FAA and air traffic control system?
A shutdown doesn’t just slow down flights — it slows down progress. FAA training programs, maintenance certifications, and modernization projects all pause. That means the pipeline for the next generation of air traffic controllers gets delayed, creating long-term staffing shortages. Current controllers are working overtime without pay, which adds fatigue and risk. It’s not just about today’s flights; it’s about tomorrow’s readiness.
What should travelers expect if the shutdown continues?
Travelers should expect longer lines and a slower security experience. My advice is simple: arrive early, stay patient, and use airline apps for updates or rebooking if delays happen. Remember, airline employees — like gate agents and flight attendants — are not federal workers, so boarding and baggage services typically continue as normal. But delays at TSA checkpoints can still ripple through the entire system. A little preparation and patience go a long way right now.
Is America’s aviation system still safe during a shutdown?
Yes — but it’s under stress. The U.S. aviation system is remarkably resilient, built on layers of redundancy and professionalism. But no system is indestructible. Every day that workers go unpaid and oversight is delayed adds cracks that take time to repair. The system is safe today because of the dedication of its people — but we shouldn’t test how long that dedication can hold without support.
