WASHINGTON — With the U.S. government shutdown inching toward its thirty-fourth day, airline chiefs converged on Washington this week to warn lawmakers that continued gridlock could snarl the nation’s airways just as millions of holiday travelers prepare to fly. The capital city—already a focal point of partisan wrangling—became the stage for an unusual alliance of competitors demanding swift action.
Airlines warn of holiday disruptions
Executives from United Airlines, American Airlines and trade group Airlines for America met Thursday with Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials to outline what they said could happen if Congress fails to pass a funding bill soon. United’s chief executive Scott Kirby said the shutdown is “putting stress on people” and starting to dent forward bookings, adding that aviation is “a pretty good real-time indicator of the economy,” as Kirby told Fortune — underscoring fears that travel demand could soften. American Airlines confirmed its top executive Robert Isom was also in the room. In a prepared statement, the carrier called the notion of air traffic controllers working without pay “unacceptable” and urged Congress to approve a clean continuing resolution, warning that “a prolonged shutdown will lead to more delays and cancellations.” Chris Sununu, the former New Hampshire governor who now heads Airlines for America, attended as well, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pressed the same message during the meeting, according to accounts first reported by Bloomberg.
Controllers working overtime — and without pay
The most immediate flash point involves the nation’s more than 13,000 air traffic controllers. Classified as essential employees, they must report for duty even though paychecks stopped arriving after Tuesday. Prior to the funding lapse, 91 percent of U.S. traffic-control centers were already staffed below Federal Aviation Administration targets. The shutdown has amplified that shortage: many controllers are now logging six-day weeks, often exceeding 60 hours, just to keep radar screens covered. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, painted a bleak picture of how the situation is affecting front-line staff. “They’re now not only leaning on each other, they’re leaning on getting other jobs,” Daniels said in an interview with Fortune, describing members who work a tower shift by day and drive for ride-share companies at night to pay rent. Some have reached a breaking point. Sporadic “sick-outs” hit several major facilities this week, forcing airlines to delay or cancel flights when schedules could least afford the strain.
Surging delays and cancellations
FlightAware data show the cascading impact: more than 7,300 delays and 1,250 cancellations at U.S. airports on Thursday alone. Those numbers landed well before the Thanksgiving and Christmas rush, raising alarms about what a continued impasse could mean when daily passenger volumes climb into the millions. Although travelers often blame airlines for last-minute disruptions, carriers cannot legally operate without controllers on duty. “If staffing deteriorates even slightly, holding patterns turn into cancellations,” an operations manager at a major East Coast hub who was not authorized to speak publicly told JetsetterGuide.com.
Economic toll grows with each day
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the current shutdown will erase nearly $14 billion in real gross domestic product that cannot be recovered. Nationwide, roughly 700,000 federal workers are missing paychecks; Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, whose salaries come from a different funding stream, are among the few still getting paid. If the Senate fails to strike a deal when it reconvenes Monday, the impasse will match the longest funding gap in U.S. history at 34 days. Wall Street analysts say any further slide in consumer sentiment could chill discretionary spending on travel, lodging and recreation—sectors that have powered economic growth since the pandemic rebound.
What it means for upcoming flights
For now, the skies remain safe but fragile. The FAA continues to train new controllers, yet onboarding takes years and requires simulators located at facilities affected by the shutdown. If overtime budgets dry up or morale erodes further, airlines may proactively trim schedules to avoid day-of chaos. Leisure travelers are especially vulnerable during the December holidays because flights often run full, leaving little slack to absorb cancellations. United has already seen a “steep booking impact,” Kirby said — as Kirby told Fortune — a trend that could compel airlines to discount fares at a time they typically capitalize on high demand.
Tips for Travelers
- Build extra time into connections. Reduced staffing can elongate taxi and take-off queues, turning tight layovers into missed flights.
- Book morning departures. Historical data show first-wave flights are less susceptible to ripple delays from ground-control shortages.
- Download your airline’s app. Real-time rebooking options often appear there first when weather or staffing triggers disruptions.
- Consider travel insurance that covers delays or trip interruption; read the fine print to ensure labor-related disruptions are included.
- If your flight is canceled, know your rights. U.S. Department of Transportation rules require carriers to refund, not merely credit, unused segments.
FAQ
Why aren’t air traffic controllers getting paid?
Because Congress has not passed a funding bill, agencies like the FAA lack authority to disburse salaries, even though controllers must work to keep the airspace safe.
Could flights stop altogether?
Unlikely. Essential staffing minimums will remain, but persistent shortages raise the risk of large-scale ground-stops in congested corridors, especially during peak periods.
When could the shutdown end?
The Senate reconvenes Monday. Any deal that funds agencies would immediately restore pay, though back wages can take several days to process.
Will ticket prices rise?
Prices typically react to supply and demand. If airlines cut schedules, reduced seat supply could lift fares; however, soft bookings might push airlines to run sales.
Is security at risk?
TSA officers face the same no-pay scenario, but the agency says enough screeners are reporting to maintain normal wait times—so far.
The bottom line for holiday flyers
The longer Washington’s standoff endures, the more fragile air travel becomes. Airlines, controllers and the traveling public all share the same wish list item: a funded government before the season’s busiest weeks arrive. Until then, flexibility and vigilance will be a traveler’s best allies. — as Kirby told Fortune
