Hollywood Burbank Airport, an important United Airlines Southern California hub, is facing a dire workforce emergency. This current problem is a direct consequence of the continuing government shutdown. That piece of the situation has changed dramatically. On Monday evening, the airport will be without air traffic control personnel for almost six hours. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has indicated that no air traffic controllers will be present in the tower from 4:15 PM until 10 PM, a timeframe that has raised concerns among travelers and airline officials alike.
As of 5:30 PM, outgoing flights from Hollywood Burbank Airport experienced an average delay of one hour and 51 minutes. The longest delay reported was two hours and 35 minutes, making it impossible for many passengers to continue with their travel plans. While the FAA is working to bring in staffing before the 4:15 PM cutoff, the lack of air traffic control staff paints a grim picture of the current operational status.
With 82% of the federal workforce out of work because of the government shutdown, that’s created a severe staffing shortage. Right now, about 13,000 air traffic controllers and almost 50,000 TSA officers nationwide, among other essential workers, have to come to work without pay. Air traffic controllers will lose their first paycheck on October 14. This development will impose even more financial pressure on what has already become an onerous working environment.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump, attributing the staffing shortages directly to the government shutdown.
“Thanks, @realDonaldTrump! Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15 PM to 10 PM today because of YOUR government shutdown.” – Gavin Newsom
Sean Duffy, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, testified to the workers’ fear. Their excitement was palpable, and that made for a powerful press conference held at Newark Liberty International Airport. As proof, he pointed to the stress over their economic security faced by air traffic controllers.
“They’re thinking about, am I going to get a paycheck?” – Sean Duffy
Duffy’s experience serves to underscore the extreme pressure air traffic controllers are under. They have to balance their challenging day jobs with the pursuit of this supplemental income too.
“Do I have to take a second job and drive Uber when I’m already exhausted from doing a job that’s already stressful?” – Sean Duffy
Despite the staffing shortages and operational challenges, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has called for professionalism among its members. They emphasized the need to hold ourselves to high standards of public service even in challenging conditions.
“It is more important than ever that we rise to the occasion and continue delivering the consistent, high-level of public service we provide every day,” – National Air Traffic Controllers Association
The Hollywood Burbank Airport air traffic control tower will remain closed. Southern California TRACON will be responsible for controlling operations during this period. As this unfortunate debacle continues to unfold, travelers and airline operators alike will be watching for further news on staffing and delay mitigation with bated breath.