(UNITED STATES) More than 2,000 flights within, into, or out of the United States 🇺🇸 were delayed on Monday, October 20, 2025, as the Federal Aviation Administration faced severe operational strain tied to FAA staffing shortages during the ongoing government shutdown. The FAA confirmed that at least nine Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities are short-staffed, pushing delays across major hubs and smaller regional centers.
While the agency has not issued a national ground stop, it is managing traffic through standard flow initiatives, and travelers should expect continued flight delays as long as the shutdown continues.
Staffing, safety, and the surge in delays
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said controller staffing issues, which typically cause about 5% of delays on a normal day, surged to 53% during the shutdown. That reflects a simple reality: approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers are currently on the job without pay.
Fatigue and morale concerns are growing as teams stretch to cover essential services, adding risk to an already pressured system. The FAA emphasized safety remains the top priority, but with fewer hands to manage complex traffic flows, on-time performance has suffered.
Where delays are hitting hardest
Major airports reporting heavy delays include Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Newark, and Las Vegas. The FAA cited disruptions at key ATC facilities serving:
- Newark
- Hartford
- Washington D.C.
- Boston
- Roanoke
- Chicago
- Central Florida
- Albuquerque
- Indianapolis
These facilities funnel traffic into some of the nation’s busiest corridors. When staffing is thin at even one of them, schedules can slip quickly across the network. Morning congestion bleeds into the afternoon, missed departure slots stack up, and airlines face hard choices on reassigning crews, aircraft, and gates.
A delay in one hub can cascade widely: a late arrival into Newark can stall departures bound for Atlanta, and a slowdown in Central Florida can hold traffic on the ground in Chicago.
How the FAA is managing traffic
The agency said it is using familiar tools to reduce risk and congestion:
- Metering traffic into busy terminals
- Holding aircraft at gates to reduce taxi congestion
- Issuing ground delay programs at targeted airports
However, these tools cannot fully overcome the gap in staffing. Ripple effects reach far beyond the initial airport where a shortage begins, and during a shutdown there is no quick way to bring more controllers into rotation.
Snapshot: operational pressure and key facts
- Scope of impact: Over 2,000 delays reported by Monday morning.
- Facilities affected: At least nine ATC facilities with reduced staffing (see list above).
- Controller conditions: About 13,000 controllers working unpaid.
- No national ground stop: The FAA is using traffic management programs but warns delays will continue while the shutdown lasts.
- Proportion of delays due to staffing: Jumped from ~5% to 53%, per Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Impact on immigrants, students, workers, and families
These disruptions bring particular challenges for travelers with time-sensitive immigration, educational, employment, or family-related plans. Missed connections can jeopardize:
- Study plans and campus check-in windows
- Work start dates and employer onboarding
- Consular or immigration interviews and reporting deadlines
- Refugee and humanitarian parolee onward travel organized by resettlement groups
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, travel tied to immigration milestones is especially vulnerable during a government shutdown because airline operations and some federal services run with reduced staffing or delayed responses. While Customs and Border Protection inspection continues, staff reallocations and longer lines can further complicate tight domestic connections.
Practical steps to reduce risk
- Book longer layovers for itineraries with connections—especially through known delay hubs (Newark, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas).
- Choose earlier flights in the day when possible; morning departures are less likely to be affected by system-wide backlogs.
- Keep digital and printed copies of key documents in carry-on bags to speed rebooking and inspections.
- If an immigration interview or orientation is time-sensitive, notify the office early and ask about grace periods or rescheduling procedures.
- Track your flight and airport conditions on the FAA’s National Airspace System Status page: https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/advAdvisoryForm.jsp
What travelers should expect and know about rights
The FAA’s central message: safety comes first. The agency will continue to meter traffic as needed to prevent overload at towers and centers where controllers are working without pay and often extended hours.
Airlines are adjusting schedules on the margins to reduce day-of congestion, but there is limited slack when staffing constraints are widespread. Travelers should watch for:
- Rolling gate holds
- Airborne spacing programs that add minutes to each leg
- Cancellations later in the day if crews exceed duty limits
Consumer rights still apply. If a delay leads to a missed connection, ask the airline about:
- Meal vouchers
- Hotel accommodations
- Rebooking options
Policies vary, especially when delays are attributed to ATC programs, but polite persistence and clear documentation help.
Practical planning tips for families and employers
- Prepare for downstream impacts such as reduced ground transport options and closed check-in desks when arrival is late evening.
- For travelers heading to smaller towns after a long-haul flight, consider overnighting at the hub rather than risking a last connection.
- Employers and families should build flexibility into scheduling for events tied to arrival times (onboarding, orientation, ceremonies).
Final takeaway
The situation remains fluid and the FAA has not provided a timeline for relief while the shutdown continues. Until staffing normalizes at the affected ATC facilities, assume:
- Longer lines
- Slower traffic flow
- Higher chance of missed connections
Plan extra time, keep documents handy, stay flexible, and monitor airline notifications and federal advisories. For live airspace updates, visit the FAA National Airspace System Status page: https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/advAdvisoryForm.jsp
This Article in a Nutshell
On October 20, 2025, over 2,000 flights were delayed across the United States as FAA staffing shortages worsened amid an ongoing government shutdown. At least nine ATC facilities reported reduced staffing, and about 13,000 air traffic controllers continued working without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said delays attributed to staffing rose from around 5% on a normal day to 53% during the shutdown. The FAA has not issued a national ground stop but is using metering, gate holds, and ground delay programs to manage traffic. Major airports affected include Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Newark, and Las Vegas. Travelers—especially those with time-sensitive immigration, education, or work commitments—should allow extra connection time, book earlier flights, and monitor FAA status updates. Airlines may offer vouchers or rebooking, but options vary when delays stem from ATC programs.
