Shutdown Hits Burbank Airport Amid Air Traffic Controller Shortages

Burbank, Calif. — Hollywood Burbank Airport faces potential disruptions as air traffic controllers begin to call in sick due to the ongoing government shutdown. Starting at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, there will be no controllers in the tower, affecting airport operations, according to ABC News.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) anticipates that staffing shortages will last until 10 p.m. but aims to resolve the issue sooner. Eyewitness News reported that controllers confirmed their departure at 4:15 p.m. Responsibilities will shift to Southern California TRACON, a team based in San Diego that will manage communication with pilots landing and departing from Burbank.

Airport officials are working to minimize disruptions for travelers, although the extent of the impact remains uncertain. An FAA advisory indicates there are multiple triggers affecting staffing at airports across the country, including ground delays at major hubs in Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Phoenix.

Jeffrey Price, a professor of aviation at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, warned that extended government shutdowns can lead to longer security lines and flight interruptions. “The system does become a little bit more brittle, and the longer this goes, the more the traveler is going to notice it,” Price explained.

The current shutdown bears similarities to the one in 2018 and 2019, which lasted 35 days and led to numerous air traffic controller sick calls and airport delays. About a quarter of the FAA’s workforce is anticipated to be furloughed, exacerbating existing staffing shortages.

As air travel disruptions are expected, the FAA may need to slow down operations if the system cannot handle scheduled flights. Travelers are being advised to prepare for potential delays and cancellations ahead of their journeys.