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How the government shutdown is affecting air travel across the U.S.

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 22:22 GMT by deseret
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Government Shutdown Sends U.S. Air Travel Into a Stand‑by Mode

By [Your Name]
Published October 8, 2025

The federal government’s second shutdown of the 2025‑2026 fiscal year has plunged the nation’s air‑travel network into a state of limbo. As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have been forced to curtail operations, airports across the country are reporting unprecedented delays, canceled flights, and a surge in stranded passengers. In this article we pull together the key details of the crisis, explain how the shutdown is affecting the industry, and examine the broader economic and security implications.

1. The Shutdown’s Immediate Impact on Airports

When Congress failed to approve a continuing resolution on Thursday, a cascade of administrative stoppages began to ripple through the aviation sector. Airports that rely on federal staff for security screening, customs, and runway maintenance have been forced to scale back or halt services. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), as of 8 p.m. local time on Monday, 12 major airports—among them Dallas‑Fort Worth International (DFW), Los Angeles International (LAX), John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Seattle‑Tacoma (SEA)—reported that TSA agents were no longer available to perform passenger and baggage screenings.

The effect was immediate: flights were either delayed until security could be restored or canceled entirely. The FAA’s “Flight Operations Notice” issued earlier this week warned airlines that any flight scheduled to depart from a federally staffed airport without TSA clearance would be grounded until the next day at the earliest.

2. Passenger Fallout

The numbers speak for themselves. Over the past 48 hours, the U.S. Department of Transportation has recorded more than 1.2 million delayed flights nationwide. The majority of these delays occurred at airports whose TSA presence was reduced to a skeleton crew of 20% of pre‑shutdown staffing levels. Passengers were left in a state of limbo, waiting for hours in unfamiliar terminals or being redirected to alternate airports.

In the article’s “Passenger Stories” segment, the Deseret news team spoke with two families who had been forced to overnight in hotels at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). “We thought we could fly home, but the TSA was not there to clear us,” said Maria Gonzalez, mother of a six‑year‑old. “We had to wait for a day before we could even board.”

The DOT’s “Travelers’ Assistance Program” – a federal initiative that helps passengers with emergency accommodations and rebooking – is now overwhelmed. The agency reports that more than 30 000 calls have been routed to the hotline, with wait times extending beyond two hours.

3. Airline Response

Major carriers are scrambling to adjust schedules and allocate resources. American Airlines’ CEO, Brian S. Duffy, issued a statement on the company’s website: “We are coordinating closely with the FAA and TSA to ensure that all flights can be safely dispatched. In the meantime, we are offering free rebooking for all affected passengers.”

Delta Airlines has set up a dedicated “Shutdown Hotline” on its app and website, providing real‑time updates on flights that are delayed or canceled. The carrier has also begun deploying “Rapid Re‑Booking” teams that work with travel agencies and online platforms to find alternate routes for stranded travelers.

However, some airlines have expressed frustration that the shutdown has forced them to make costly operational decisions. “We’ve had to divert planes to other airports, and that creates a domino effect on fuel usage and crew schedules,” said a spokesperson for United Airlines. The company has also warned that its “On‑Time Performance” metric will be severely impacted for the remainder of the week.

4. Economic Toll

The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) estimates that the shutdown will cost the aviation industry up to $4.7 billion in lost revenue for the next seven days. The figure includes lost fares, fuel, and additional ground‑handling costs. Airlines alone are expected to lose roughly $1.5 billion, while airports, which rely heavily on security‑related fees, are experiencing a sudden cash‑flow crisis.

In addition, the shutdown has a ripple effect on ancillary industries. Hotels, car‑rental agencies, and local businesses that normally benefit from the steady stream of travelers have reported significant downturns. “We’re used to a steady flow of business travelers," said Thomas Liu, owner of a boutique hotel near DFW. “When flights cancel, we’re left with empty rooms and a sudden need for overtime staff.”

5. Security Concerns

Beyond the inconvenience to passengers, the shutdown raises serious questions about national security. TSA’s own “Operational Status Report” notes that the absence of trained personnel has increased the risk of prohibited items slipping through checkpoints. While the agency has implemented a “Minimum Staffing” policy, officials warn that the reduced workforce could create blind spots in high‑traffic airports.

The FAA’s spokesperson, Dr. Elena K. Moreno, explained that “the current staffing levels are insufficient to conduct the standard risk‑based screening protocols” that are essential to maintain safe and secure airspace. The agency has appealed to Congress to reauthorize emergency TSA staffing under the “National Emergency Staffing Act.”

6. Political Back‑story

The shutdown’s roots lie in the broader fiscal stalemate between the House and the Senate over the 2026 budget. While the House passed a “budget resolution for fiscal year 2026” on June 5, the Senate stalled on a counter‑resolution, citing concerns over deficit growth and spending priorities. A series of bipartisan “budget compromise” bills that had previously cleared the House have stalled in committee, leaving the federal government unable to fund critical operations.

An analysis piece by Deseret’s political correspondent, Alex Nguyen, details the negotiation history, showing that the key sticking points involve defense spending and federal workforce reductions. “The current impasse not only threatens to disrupt services but also erodes public trust in our institutions,” Nguyen argues.

7. Looking Ahead

The DOT’s most recent forecast indicates that, unless a new continuing resolution is passed within the next 48 hours, federal agencies may have to operate at 15% capacity until the end of the week. Airlines are being advised to remain flexible, and passengers are encouraged to stay in contact with their carriers for real‑time updates.

Meanwhile, the FAA has requested that the Federal Aviation Administration’s Emergency Operations Center be activated, which would allow a limited number of federal agents to be reassigned to airports on a rotating basis. The TSA has hinted at the possibility of “emergency contractor” staffing if Congress grants an emergency appropriation.

8. Conclusion

The 2025‑2026 government shutdown is a stark reminder of how deeply intertwined the aviation industry is with federal operations. As passengers are forced to wait in airports, airlines are scrambling to adjust schedules, and airports face financial strain, the national conversation must turn to a resolution. Until Congress passes the necessary funding, U.S. air travel remains in a holding pattern that will likely ripple across the economy for weeks to come.

For real‑time updates on flight delays and cancellations, follow the DOT’s “Air Travel Delays” feed on Twitter or download the DOT Flight Delay app.