Travel Chaos At burbank Airport: flight Delays skyrocket As air Traffic Controllers abandon Tower Amid government Shutdown

Published on October 7, 2025

Travelers at Hollywood Burbank Airport encountered important delays connected Monday owed to a shortage of aerial postulation controllers, a business straight linked to nan ongoing federal authorities shutdown. The issue, which began astatine 4:15 p.m., near nan airdrome without aerial postulation controllers successful its tower, prompting awesome disruptions for incoming and outgoing flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that nan airdrome would beryllium without controllers until astir 10 p.m., though efforts were underway to reside nan staffing spread arsenic quickly arsenic possible.

FAA Measures to Manage Air Traffic Amid Staffing Crisis

With nan absence of aerial postulation controllers at Burbank Airport, respective contingency measures were implemented by nan FAA to mitigate nan situation. According to nan agency, ground delays were introduced astatine respective different airports crossed nan state to guarantee nan safe cognition of flights. Departures to Burbank Airport were delayed by an mean of 151 minutes, pinch galore flights being rerouted aliases delayed arsenic a result. Despite nan FAA’s efforts to power nan travel of aerial traffic, nan shortage of controllers caused important delays, leaving passengers disappointment and stranded astatine various airports.

The business at Burbank Airport quickly escalated erstwhile aerial postulation controllers near their posts at 4:15 p.m., and nan building was near unstaffed for respective hours. During this time, nan duties of managing formation arrivals and departures were handed disconnected to Southern California TRACON, a San Diego-based departure team. This squad coordinated with pilots to guarantee that operations continued, contempt nan deficiency of controllers astatine nan airport.

Growing Concerns Over FAA Staffing Shortages

The business at Burbank Airport was portion of a broader rumor facing the FAA, which has been struggling with staffing shortages across nan full aerial postulation power system. According to a connection from nan FAA, erstwhile specified shortages occur, nan agency is forced to slow postulation into definite airports to guarantee safe operations. Mike Christensen, an airdrome spokesman, confirmed that earlier successful nan day, operations astatine Burbank were moving smoothly, but arsenic soon arsenic nan staffing rumor took effect, nan business began to change. He referred each further inquiries to nan FAA for updates arsenic the shutdowncontinued to impact airdrome operations.

Political Reactions to nan Air Traffic Controller Shortage

The California Governor, Gavin Newsom, voiced his vexation complete nan situation, pointing straight to the government shutdown as nan guidelines origin of nan disruption. Through a station on X (formerly known arsenic Twitter), Newsom blamed nan shutdown and criticized former President Donald Trump, stating that Burbank Airport had been near without controllers for hours owed to nan ongoing fund impasse. This shutdown marked its sixth day as governmental tensions between Democrats and Republicans over a backing scheme continued to escalate.

Newsom’s remarks highlighted nan increasing effect of nan shutdown, arsenic nan national authorities remained divided complete a stopgap measure that would temporarily money authorities operations. Both a GOP-backed stopgap measure and a Democratic alternative failed to summation traction successful nan Senate, contributing to nan mounting vexation surrounding nan government’s inability to resoluteness nan issue.

A History of Federal Shutdowns and Their Impact connected Air Travel

This astir caller shutdown is nan latest successful a bid of federal shutdowns that person affected a assortment of authorities services, including aerial postulation power operations. The longest national shutdown successful caller representation occurred during President Trump’s first term in 2018-19, lasting a record 35 days. That shutdown had far-reaching effects connected aerial travel, as air postulation controllers, airdrome personnel, and different national workers were furloughed aliases worked without pay, starring to important disruptions successful formation operations. The existent shutdown has reignited concerns astir nan reliability of aerial postulation power systems and nan information of travelers successful nan arena of further unit shortages.

FAA Advises Travelers to Stay Informed About Flight Delays

As nan shutdown continues to affect Burbank Airport and different airports crossed nan country, the FAA advised travelers to enactment updated connected formation position done the FAA’s charismatic website at fly.faa.gov. The FAA provides real-time accusation connected formation delays, cancellations, and aerial postulation issues, allowing passengers to way their flights and make replacement plans if necessary.

Impact connected Airport Operations and Passengers

The disruption at Burbank Airport was significant, particularly for passengers arriving and departing nan airport. With nan deficiency of controllers, nan airdrome faced a backlog of flights, and nan mean hold for those flying to Burbank was astir 151 minutes. Passengers were advised to cheque their formation statuses regularly, arsenic delays were expected to proceed owed to nan staffing shortage.

While nan business at Burbank Airport was peculiarly severe, the FAA indicated that different airports crossed nan state were besides impacted by akin staffing shortages, starring to delays astatine various locations. Travelers were encouraged to beryllium diligent and to expect longer-than-usual hold times astatine airports, arsenic the shutdown caused disruptions crossed the aviation industry.

The Broader Impact of nan Shutdown connected Air Travel

The shutdown not only affects aerial postulation power operations but besides puts a strain connected nan entire aviation system. As air postulation controllers are responsible for managing nan safe and businesslike activity of craft successful U.S. airspace, immoderate shortage successful staffing tin origin a ripple effect crossed aggregate airports. Airlines face challenges successful adjusting schedules and accommodating delayed passengers, while airports must woody pinch overcrowding and disappointment travelers.

Additionally, nan uncertainty surrounding the shutdown makes it difficult for travelers to make informed decisions astir their flights. Airlines and airport officials have urged travelers to cheque formation statuses regularly and to scheme for imaginable disruptions. As agelong arsenic the shutdown continues, nan effect on air travel is expected to persist.

Looking Ahead: The Need for a Solution

As the shutdown stretches on, nan contiguous situation remains the staffing shortages at cardinal airports like Burbank. Airlines, travelers, and airport officials alike are hoping for a solution to nan governmental standoff that will let nan national authorities to afloat reopen and resume normal operations. For now, passengers are advised to monitor flight position updates, stay patient, and scheme for imaginable delays arsenic nan business evolves.