Atlanta, October 8, 2025
News Summary
Air traffic controllers at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and others nationwide are facing increased operational strains due to the ongoing government shutdown. Despite working without pay, some controllers are calling in sick, resulting in significant flight delays and disruptions, particularly affecting airports like Hollywood Burbank. Local officials are providing support to TSA employees also impacted by the shutdown, but concerns about staffing shortages and safety in air travel continue to rise.
Atlanta – Air traffic controllers, including those at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, are currently working without pay as a result of the ongoing government shutdown. These essential employees are required to continue their duties despite the lack of paychecks, leading to an increasing strain on operations nationwide.
Some air traffic controllers across the country have begun calling out sick, contributing to delays and disruptions in air travel. Most notably, Hollywood Burbank Airport in California faced a shutdown of nearly six hours on Monday due to staffing shortages directly related to these sick calls.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported that staffing issues have affected approximately a dozen locations across the country, including major airports in Houston, Nashville, and Newark. While Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has not noted any significant staffing problems among its controllers, the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center in Hampton has experienced similar challenges.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has indicated that the ongoing shutdown is exacerbating stress within the agency, already considered a high-pressure work environment for air traffic controllers. A nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers is only intensifying the current situation, resulting in a rising number of sick calls.
Despite these challenges, reports show that approximately 92% of flights departing from U.S. airports as of a recent Tuesday took off on time. However, delays still affected Atlanta, with 13% of flights recorded as delayed. Travel consultant, Caleb Harmon Marshall, has cautioned that ongoing staffing shortages may lead to longer wait times on tarmacs as well as more significant disruptions for connecting flights.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who are also considered essential workers, are similarly feeling the effects of the shutdown by working without pay. Although some TSA officers have called in sick, the number has not reached a level significant enough to cause major delays at this point, according to the American Federation of Government Employees. Local Atlanta officials are stepping in to support TSA workers, providing resources such as meal vouchers and parking assistance.
Both Transportation Secretary Duffy and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association have emphasized the urgent need to address the controller staffing shortage to ensure the safety and efficiency of the aviation system. Historical precedents showcase that similar government shutdowns in the past have led to severe disruptions in air traffic operations, raising concerns that prolonged shutdowns may lead to similar negative outcomes once again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What impact is the government shutdown having on air traffic controllers?
– Air traffic controllers are working without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Which airports are experiencing staffing issues due to sick calls?
– Hollywood Burbank Airport experienced a six-hour shutdown, along with about a dozen other locations nationwide including Houston, Nashville, and Newark.
What is the impact of the shutdown on flight delays?
– 92% of flights departing from U.S. airports recently took off on time, but delays are still affecting locations like Atlanta, where 13% of flights were delayed.
Are TSA officers also affected by the government shutdown?
– Yes, TSA officers are working without pay and experiencing stress, although their sick calls have not significantly impacted operations to date.
What assistance are local officials providing to TSA workers?
– Local officials in Atlanta are offering support to TSA workers that includes meal vouchers and parking assistance.
Key Features of Ongoing Government Shutdown
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Impact on Air Traffic Controllers | Working without pay, essential staff remain on duty. |
| Reported Sick Calls | Contributing to national staffing shortages and operational delays. |
| Airport Shutdown | Hollywood Burbank Airport closed for nearly six hours due to controller shortages. |
| Overall Flight Operations | 92% of flights departing on time, with delays impacting some major airports. |
| Support for TSA Workers | Local officials providing meal vouchers and parking assistance. |
| Urgency for Staffing Solutions | Immediate need to address controller shortages for safety and efficiency. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Impact of Government Shutdown on Georgia Federal Employees
U.S. Government Shutdown: Impacts on Federal Workers in Georgia
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Operations Unaffected by Government Shutdown
Federal Shutdown Affects TSA Employees at Atlanta Airport
Delta Air Lines Flight 682 Returns to Atlanta After Engine Issue
Severe Thunderstorms Disrupt Travel Across Georgia
Staffing Shortage Raises Safety Concerns at Atlanta Airport
Severe Thunderstorm Disrupts Atlanta, Braves Game
FAA Announces $30 Billion Modernization of Air Traffic Control
United Airlines Cuts Flights at Newark Amid Chaos
Additional Resources
- 11Alive: Atlanta Airport Not Experiencing Impacts from Government Shutdown
- Reuters: Air Traffic Control Staffing Hit, Delaying Flights
- Fox 5 Atlanta: Atlanta Air Traffic Controllers Work Without Pay
- CBS News: Atlanta Airport Flight Delays Due to Shutdown
- The Hill: Flight Delays Caused by Government Shutdown
- Wikipedia: Air Traffic Control
- Google Search: Government Shutdown Air Traffic Controllers
- Google Scholar: Government Shutdown Impact on Air Travel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Air Traffic Control
- Google News: Air Traffic Controller Shutdown
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
