(LOS ANGELES, DC, UNITED STATES) Air traffic control staffing problems surged over the weekend of October 25–26, 2025, triggering widespread flight delays and renewed alarms about a system already under strain from the ongoing federal government shutdown. The shutdown has entered its fifth week, and controllers—who are classified as essential—must keep working without pay. That unpaid status, now dragging on for more than a month, is directly tied to the spike in disruptions across the United States’ aviation network.
Since October 1, there have been at least 264 reported instances of staffing problems at FAA facilities, more than four times the 60 incidents during the same period last year. Over just a few days—starting Friday morning, October 24—officials logged more than 50 staffing shortages, a wave that hit airports from Los Angeles to Washington, DC.
On Sunday, October 26, the strain became impossible to ignore: flights to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were temporarily halted due to a shortage at the Southern California TRACON facility. A ground stop, issued at 11:42 a.m. ET, pushed average delays to about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Scope of the weekend disruptions
The disruption was not limited to Southern California. Newark Liberty, Reagan National, and Southwest Florida International also saw heavy delays as air traffic control teams scrambled to cover gaps. According to FlightAware, more than 8,000 flights were delayed on Sunday, up from about 5,300 on Saturday.
Airline impacts on Sunday included:
– Southwest: delays on about 45% of flights
– American Airlines: nearly 1,200 flights delayed (about 1/3 of its operations)
– United: reported 24% of flights delayed
– Delta: reported 17% of flights delayed
The FAA reported 22 staffing “triggers”—its threshold for critical shortages—on Saturday, one of the highest daily tallies since the shutdown began.
Important: A staffing trigger means staffing fell below safe targets for an area and required traffic management steps. Multiple triggers across regions can rapidly create widespread delays.
Causes and staffing dynamics
Officials and union leaders point to the federal government shutdown as the key driver behind the current breakdown in staffing. Controllers are continuing to show up, but unpaid work is pushing many to the edge.
Key pressures include:
– Early-career controllers, who earn lower salaries and have fewer savings, are under the most financial strain.
– Rising sick calls and burnout as shifts stretch and bills pile up.
– The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) says coordinated job actions are not allowed, but increased “sickouts” have been reported as a form of protest.
These weekend shortages compound an existing staffing shortfall. The FAA is about 3,500 controllers below its staffing targets. Many facilities have relied on mandatory overtime and six-day workweeks even before the shutdown. With new hires stalled and current staff juggling unpaid overtime, staffing problems cascade quickly—flight by flight and sector by sector.
How shortages ripple through the system
When a single high-traffic facility hits a staffing wall, the ripple effects spread across terminals and towers. That’s what happened on Sunday:
– LAX paused traffic, forcing nearby airports to absorb delays.
– Managers faced choices that all prolong delays: limit arrivals to keep workloads safe, or stack planes in holding patterns and extend taxi times.
The result is a network under stress where decisions intended to keep operations safe nevertheless compound delays systemwide.
Human and policy impact
Experts continue to stress that flying remains safe. Air traffic control systems have layers of safety, and supervisors are trained to slow the flow when staffing dips. However, the operational and human risks grow the longer the shutdown continues.
Key human impacts:
– Fatigue and financial stress undermine retention and performance.
– Early-career staff may take second jobs or call in sick, further thinning the ranks.
– Morale is slipping among trainees who must balance training demands, long shifts, and no paychecks.
Union representatives emphasize that rising sick calls reflect financial strain rather than organized action. Many controllers are exploring second jobs to make ends meet. While understandable, that coping strategy increases fatigue and scheduling challenges for supervisors.
Data snapshot and trends
- Since October 1: 264 staffing problems reported at FAA facilities.
- Over the weekend (starting Oct. 24): more than 50 staffing shortages logged.
- 22 staffing triggers reported on Saturday.
- Sunday delays: >8,000 flights delayed (FlightAware).
These numbers show a system bending more each day. With no paycheck in sight, more controllers are stepping back to protect their health and families—a human response that also damages network resilience.
What this means for travelers
Practical advice for passengers:
1. Build in extra time for travel and connections.
2. Monitor your airline’s app and airline alerts closely.
3. Be prepared for gate changes and rolling delays, especially at the busiest hubs.
4. Check FAA advisories and airport status updates at the FAA’s official site: Federal Aviation Administration.
Sunday’s events show how rapidly the situation can change: a morning ground stop in one region can disrupt connections all day. Families, workers on tight schedules, and international visitors trying to make onward connections are particularly vulnerable.
Final outlook
The weekend’s numbers mark the worst stretch since the shutdown started—and there is no clear end date. The mix is stark:
– Controllers must report to work.
– They are not being paid.
– The system already had too few people.
If the shutdown continues, staffing problems are likely to worsen as fatigue rises and more early-career controllers face hard choices. For now, the safest plan for passengers is to expect delays, stay flexible with connections, and keep a close watch on messages from airlines and the FAA.
This Article in a Nutshell
Over the weekend of October 25–26, 2025, staffing shortages at FAA air traffic control facilities intensified, producing significant flight delays across the United States. The federal government shutdown, now in its fifth week, left essential controllers working without pay, pushing many toward fatigue, increased sick calls, and financial strain. Since October 1 the FAA recorded 264 staffing incidents—more than four times the previous year—while the agency reported 22 staffing triggers on a single day. A ground stop at LAX on October 26 at 11:42 a.m. ET caused average delays of about 1 hour 40 minutes and contributed to more than 8,000 delayed flights that day. With the FAA approximately 3,500 controllers below staffing targets and new hires stalled, officials warn the situation may worsen if the shutdown continues. Travelers should expect delays, monitor airline apps, and plan extra time for connections.
