The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a warning that California’s Hollywood Burbank Airport will be without air traffic controllers for several hours on Monday evening due to the ongoing government shutdown forcing many airport personnel to work without pay.
This staffing shortage is expected to begin at 4:15 p.m. and last until approximately 10 p.m. local time, as reported by ABC News.
The FAA mentioned that they are attempting to bring in additional personnel before 10 p.m., though they could not assure that the gap would be filled in time.
The Post reached out for official confirmation from the FAA but received an automatic message indicating that their press office was closed due to the “lapse in funding” affecting non-essential operations.
Air traffic controllers at the location informed ABC 7 that they will leave promptly at 4:15 p.m., and that the unstaffed tower will be managed by the Southern California TRACON, an air traffic control team based in San Diego.
The TRACON team will be communicating with the pilots of all flights still operating out of the airport.
It remains uncertain how significantly the staffing cuts at Hollywood Burbank Airport will affect operations and whether these issues will extend later into the week.
There are widespread expectations of travel delays as a consequence of the government shutdown, which has now entered its sixth day following a failed Senate vote.
During this shutdown, many airport staff, including air traffic controllers, are rendering services without any compensation.
During the prior government shutdown, which lasted for 35 days into the New Year in 2018, air traffic controllers nationwide filed a lawsuit to secure their pay.
At the same time, other workers, such as security screeners, reported high rates of absenteeism lasting for weeks.
This time, both the TSA and the FAA were already grappling with significant staffing shortages. The FAA has been short about 3,000 air traffic controllers for over half a year.
Aviation organizations pointed out in a letter to Senate and House leaders that the shutdown is delaying crucial aircraft safety inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has attributed the staff shortage at the Burbank airport to President Trump.
“Thanks, @realDonaldTrump! Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm today due to YOUR government shutdown,” he posted on X.
On the same day, a majority of Democratic senators turned down a fifth attempt by Republicans to approve a stopgap funding bill aimed at bringing an end to the government shutdown.
