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Government shutdown flight delays, TSA wait times rise

An FAA operations wall shows nationwide airport delay tiles, illustrating TSA wait times and government shutdown flight delays across major hubs.
by
6 min read

Flight disruptions are building as the federal government shutdown enters a second week. Daily delays have ranged from roughly 3,600 to more than 7,200 since October 6, according to FlightAware trend data, while cancellations remain comparatively modest. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and O'Hare International Airport (ORD) have seen persistent slowdowns as the Federal Aviation Administration prioritizes safety with fewer certified controllers available to work paid shifts. Travelers should expect uneven operations and longer TSA lines at the largest hubs, and should continue monitoring airline alerts before leaving for the airport. For today's tactical view, see our rolling update, Flight Delays and Airport Impacts: October 12, 2025.

Key points

  • Why it matters: Controller shortages and unpaid essential staff are slowing the system, driving more delays than cancellations.
  • Travel impact: Expect longer TSA lines, meter-in programs, and departure spacing that lengthens taxi and flight times.
  • What's next: NATCA warns of zero paychecks later this month if funding is not restored, raising attrition and fatigue risks.
  • Newark and Chicago remain high-impact nodes; ripple delays can spread nationwide by mid-day push periods.
  • Essential Air Service communities are watching for funding gaps that could reduce rural connectivity.

Snapshot

As of late week two, FlightAware's rolling totals show daily U.S. delays hitting from the mid-3,000s to north of 7,000 on peak days, with cancellations far lower. FAA's shutdown plan keeps 13,294 air traffic controllers working without pay, along with other safety roles, but pauses many supporting functions that help the system run efficiently. NATCA says members will receive a partial paycheck around October 14, then none on October 28 if the shutdown continues, pushing financial strain into the workforce. TSA reports screening about 2.5 million passengers per day, and it has warned that wait times could lengthen during a prolonged shutdown. Localized pinch points have included Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), where the tower was temporarily unstaffed earlier this week, and repeated delays at Newark.

Background

Controller staffing has been a multiyear challenge for FAA, compounded now by the shutdown's loss of pay for essential workers and furloughs for critical support staff. FAA's contingency plan keeps separation services, safety inspections, and limited certifications running, but delays or suspends rulemaking, performance analysis, and many administrative and tech programs that underpin efficiency. The U.S. Travel Association estimates the travel economy loses about $1 billion in spending each week a shutdown continues. NATCA leadership has urged Congress to end the closure and cautioned that a fragile system cannot absorb prolonged stress without more delays. TSA, for its part, is holding throughput but cautions that staffing pressure can translate into longer checkpoint lines at large hubs and during surges.

Latest developments

Newark and Chicago delays spotlight controller shortages

Newark Liberty has posted some of the longest average delays during busy periods this week as New York-metro traffic is throttled for safety spacing. Chicago O'Hare has also experienced consistent metering as FAA balances runway and airspace flows with fewer fully certified controllers available for overtime or additional shifts. NATCA says the controller shortfall predates the shutdown, and the pause in pay risks worsening fatigue and attrition. FAA's approach continues to favor ground-based controls, miles-in-trail, and reduced acceptance rates to maintain safety, which explains why delays are rising faster than cancellations. Travelers should pad connections and favor longer layovers at Newark and Chicago when rebooking options are presented by airlines.

TSA throughput holds, but lines lengthen at peak banks

TSA's daily checkpoint counts remain near 2.5 million travelers, which means demand is strong even as supply is constrained. Airports from Miami International to Los Angeles International are seeing variable checkpoint waits during banked departure periods. TSA has warned that sustained unpaid status for officers can translate into longer lines, especially when absenteeism ticks up. Practical steps include enrolling in PreCheck or CLEAR where available, arriving earlier than usual at hub airports, and traveling with carry-on-only when feasible to bypass check-in bottlenecks. Airlines continue to waive some change fees on rolling basis when FAA initiatives impact airport operations, so monitor carrier notifications closely.

Rural connectivity watch, Essential Air Service concerns

Essential Air Service, which subsidizes flights to remote communities, faces funding uncertainties during a prolonged shutdown. While several regional carriers say they intend to honor service commitments for now, any gap in federal payments could eventually force schedule reductions or aircraft swaps that reduce capacity. Travelers in EAS markets should keep contingency plans, including alternate ground transport to larger regional airports or flexible date windows. FAA's excepted activities preserve safety oversight for these operations, but staffing pressure at bigger approach facilities can still ripple into rural airports, creating periodic ground stops, delays, or diversions.

Analysis

The pattern so far fits a predictable shutdown dynamic. With 13,294 controllers excepted but unpaid, FAA can keep the system safe, yet it must slow the rate at which aircraft enter terminal airspace and line up for departures. That naturally produces delays rather than mass cancellations. Support functions on pause, such as performance analysis and parts of NextGen development, further limit efficiency gains that would normally offset daily surges. Newark is an outsized amplifier because it sits atop constrained New York airspace, so any staffing or weather friction quickly propagates along east-west flows. Chicago, a central hub with heavy bank structures, magnifies ripple delays in both directions. TSA is holding volume, but extended unpaid status often leads to higher sick leave, morale issues, and retention risk, which lengthens lines at exactly the wrong times. If funding is restored quickly, recovery should be swift. If it drags toward late October and the promised zero paycheck, expect sharper absenteeism, tighter FAA initiatives, and more airlines proactively padding schedules to protect connections.

Final thoughts

Plan for a delay-first environment. Build 90 minutes or more into connections at congestion-prone hubs, move to earlier flights when you can, and keep alerts on for gate or runway programs that creep in during the day. If you are booking near-term travel, consider nonstop options or longer legal connection times, and travel with carry-on-only to exploit rebooking flexibility. The system remains safe, but it is running with less tolerance for spikes. Until Congress restores funding, travelers should assume the new normal is slower. Doing so will help you navigate the government shutdown flight delays.

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