New Hampshire leaders say concerns growing about air travel amid government shutdown

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 18:28 GMT by WMUR

The Government Shutdown’s Root Causes

The piece opens by summarizing the political backdrop that has led to the shutdown. After a deadlock over the federal budget, the House and Senate failed to pass a spending bill, resulting in the furlough of non‑essential federal employees. While essential services such as the FAA’s air traffic control are designed to continue operating, many supporting staff—maintenance crews, administrative personnel, and other support functions—have been placed on standby or furloughed. The article cites a recent press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) which explains that the FAA’s “core functions” such as flight‑plan processing and radar operations will stay open, but “auxiliary services” may be curtailed.

Direct Effects on New Hampshire Airports

The article focuses heavily on Manchester‑Boston Regional Airport (MHT), New Hampshire’s busiest hub. According to the airport’s Chief Operations Officer, flight schedules have been disrupted on multiple levels. “Some flights have been delayed by up to two hours, and a few international connections have been rerouted,” she said. The piece quotes a representative from the FAA who explained that a smaller number of air‑traffic controllers are currently staffed due to budget cuts, leading to increased workload and a higher chance of procedural errors. The article includes a sidebar with a graphic showing the projected delay curve for MHT from early September through mid‑October.

Beyond Manchester, the article mentions the smaller Concord‑Northampton Regional Airport (CNH) and the lesser‑known Nashua Airport (NAH). These facilities are less dependent on federal oversight, but they still rely on FAA‑approved pilots and flight‑plan processing. The FAA’s internal memo—linked within the article—highlights that the “reduction in FAA staff could slow down the clearance of commercial flights by up to 10% during peak hours.” The author also notes that cargo flights, particularly those using the Boeing 737‑800, are experiencing scheduling uncertainties because of the slowdown in paperwork processing.

Airline Responses

The WMUR article interviews several airline executives to get their take on the shutdown’s operational impact. A spokesperson for United Airlines noted that the company has had to “re‑allocate crews” to accommodate the slower clearance process. “We’re still meeting our safety standards, but we’re seeing a noticeable uptick in ground time at our hubs,” the executive said. Southwest Airlines, which operates many domestic routes to New Hampshire, has added an extra slot at MHT for the next two weeks to offset the expected delay backlog. The article cites a press release from the Southwest Airlines website that reiterates its commitment to “maintain passenger safety and service quality” during the government shutdown.

State and Local Mitigation Efforts

In an effort to cushion travelers from the fallout, New Hampshire’s Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a statement urging passengers to check flight status updates frequently and to consider traveling via alternative routes if possible. The state DOT also coordinated with the FAA to secure “priority clearance” for flights that carry essential goods such as medical supplies. The article provides a link to the New Hampshire DOT’s emergency travel page, which lists recommended airports and updated contact numbers for travelers seeking real‑time assistance.

The WMUR piece highlights a partnership between the Manchester Airport Authority and the local Chamber of Commerce, which is offering discounted parking for passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled. A representative from the Chamber said, “We want to make sure that the local community still benefits from our tourism and business travelers, even during this chaotic period.” The article points readers to the Manchester Airport’s website for details on the temporary parking rates.

Broader Context and Future Outlook

The article concludes by situating New Hampshire’s experience within the national landscape. A link to the Congressional Budget Office’s report on the economic impact of the shutdown indicates that the aviation sector is projected to lose $7.5 billion in revenue over the next year. The CBO notes that “air travel is one of the most sensitive industries to budgetary uncertainty, given its dependence on federal oversight and funding.”

The WMUR report also mentions that the FAA has issued a “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) reminding pilots to prepare for “extended holding patterns” due to reduced controller availability. The article links to the FAA’s NOTAM database where travelers can check for real‑time updates.

Takeaway

While the federal government shutdown may seem far‑removed from everyday life, the WMUR article makes clear that its effects are being felt right in New Hampshire’s air corridors. From delayed flight plans and increased ground times at MHT to airlines scrambling to keep schedules intact, the shutdown is testing the resilience of the state’s aviation infrastructure. Thanks to proactive measures by the state DOT, airport authorities, and airlines, the impact on travelers has been mitigated, but the article warns that the situation remains fluid until a new federal budget is enacted.