October 1, 2025

Get ready for turbulence in the skies if the US government funding runs out at midnight! The US Transportation Department announced on Tuesday that more than 11,000 employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—around a quarter of its staff—could be furloughed. That means many workers would be forced to stay home without pay, causing serious headaches for air travel. But wait, there’s more! Air traffic controllers and TSA officers, who are essential to keep flights safe and airports secure, would still have to work—but without pay until the shutdown ends. The FAA has over 13,000 air traffic controllers on the job, though it's still 3,800 short of its target staff. Even if funding stops, the FAA promises to keep hiring and training controllers, unlike previous shutdowns when these activities stopped. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also faces furloughs. About 25% of its 400 employees may be sent home, but the agency will still investigate air accidents — including the deadly January 29 crash where an American Airlines regional jet collided with an Army helicopter, killing 67 people. Unlike before, when the NTSB had to furlough 90% of its workforce, this time they'll keep more of their staff active to handle critical cases. Security at airports will feel the crunch too. Around 50,000 TSA workers at checkpoints must keep working without pay, which may lead to more absences. Remember the 2019 shutdown? Many TSA and controller no-shows slowed things down, causing longer wait times and forcing flight traffic cuts in New York. That mess put pressure on lawmakers to get back to work fast! Airlines are sounding the alarm. Airlines for America, representing major players like United, Delta, American, and Southwest, warns that if funding disappears, "the system may need to slow down, reducing efficiency," causing travel hassles for millions. The US Travel Association adds that a shutdown could cost the travel world a whopping $1 billion each week. The FAA employs about 45,000 people. With the Transportation Department planning to furlough a total of 12,200 out of 53,717 workers, it’s clear the transportation system faces a tough journey ahead. Despite this, the FAA says it will keep certification activities going for airplane safety and commercial space launches. So, buckle up and hope for a quick government rescue, or flight delays and travel headaches could be the new norm very soon!

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Tags: Faa furlough, Government shutdown, Air traffic controllers, Tsa employees, Travel industry impact,