Government shutdown could cause more flight cancellations, delays, expert warns
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A former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official warned Sunday that air travelers could face longer delays and additional flight cancellations as one of the longest government shutdowns in history continues with no end in sight.
“[Air traffic] Controllers are essential personnel. So they have to come to work for free, but it’s unpaid…after one or two paychecks, many Americans will struggle to pay ongoing bills,” former FAA deputy administrator Dan Elwell said on “Fox Report Weekend.”
Elwell, who served as acting FAA administrator during the 2019 government shutdown, warned that the current shutdown is approaching a point where air traffic controllers may struggle to pay their bills and face difficult choices to support their families.
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Travelers check their phones during delays and flight cancellations at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, on July 19, 2024. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
He spoke from experience and described the pressure on air traffic controllers as the 2019 shutdown approaches its 25th day.
“For about 25 of the 35 days, the stress on the controllers was what really broke the shutdown during that period, and we ended it because the delays and issues with air traffic control were coming to a head,” he said.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) accompanies Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer and Brian Steil for a news conference on the 10th day of the government shutdown on October 10, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
The current shutdown reached its 27th day on Monday; Senate lawmakers are deadlocked on a Republican-backed follow-on resolution that would reopen the government with more Democratic support.
Democrats remain hopeful that Republicans will act to address their Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy extension demands.
Elwell said Sunday that the ongoing closure could worsen existing air traffic control deficiencies; This concern was also voiced by Transport Minister Sean Duffy.
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“I don’t believe safety will be compromised, but in order to keep the airspace safe, there will continue to be slowdowns that the FAA will have to do when there are people saying they can’t come to work.” [to] “It could be extremely painful for the traveling public,” he warned.
“That’s exactly what happened in 2019. These controllers are great, but you can’t ask them to keep going without paying them. It’s too much stress.”
