Travelers are facing delays at Reagan National Airport due to FAA staff shortages resulting from the government shutdown.
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration says that travelers should expect delays at Reagan National Airport amid staff shortages prompted by the government shutdown.
They say the air traffic control tower will be short-staffed until about 2 a.m. Thursday morning, for now.
The agency also says there are shortages at Newark Liberty International and Orlando International airports.
The federal shutdown is creating travel concerns everywhere as air traffic controllers opt to stay home rather than work unpaid.
Air traffic controllers and TSA agents are considered essential, so they are still required to work despite the lapse in pay. Nevertheless, many are calling out sick.
WUSA9 reached out to the FAA for comments on the ongoing issues at airports.
“Due to a lapse in funding, the FAA is not responding to routine media inquiries. For updates, including staffing and weather, at every US airport, visit www.fly.faa.gov,” an automated message read.
President Donald Trump has said that some federal workers may not receive back pay after the shutdown ends – a break with established practice around government stoppages.
The president’s suggestion contradicts a bill he signed into law in 2019, ensuring back pay for federal workers.
In neighboring Maryland, Governor Wes Moore and other leaders rallied behind BWI Airport employees.
“Our BWI workers are still here,” Moore said. “They’re on the job. But unfortunately, because of this situation, the majority of them are right now working without pay. And they’re doing so because they’re patriots. They’re doing it because they know that this work matters.”
The U.S. is in week two of the federal shutdown ─ with no end in sight.
The Senate is deadlocked over healthcare funding.
While House Speaker Mike Johnson has reportedly appeared confident taking questions in public, Democrats remain intransigent on the Affordable Care Act subsidies.