The government shutdown is over. The air traffic controller shortage is not

Core Insights - The U.S. aviation industry is facing a significant shortage of air traffic controllers, exacerbated by the recent federal government shutdown, which has made recruitment and retention more challenging [2][8][26] Staffing and Operational Impact - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that staffing levels were critically low during the shutdown, leading to delays and cancellations of thousands of flights, affecting over 5 million passengers [7][12] - Prior to the shutdown, the U.S. was short 3,903 fully certified air traffic controllers against a target of 14,633, with severe shortages at busy facilities [8][11] - The shutdown resulted in controllers working without pay, leading some to take second jobs, which increased stress and may deter new entrants into the profession [3][6] Financial Consequences - Airlines are projected to face a $150 million to $200 million operating income hit due to the shutdown, with smaller carriers experiencing less than $100 million in losses [16] - The FAA mandated a reduction of 4% of flights at 40 major airports due to safety concerns, which could have escalated to 10% if the shutdown continued [14][15] Legislative and Industry Response - Airline executives are urging Congress to ensure that air traffic controllers are paid during future shutdowns to prevent similar disruptions [17][23] - There is a push for legislation that would allow the FAA to utilize funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to cover expenses during government shutdowns [25][26] Long-term Solutions - The aviation industry requires billions more to modernize the air traffic control system, despite a previous allocation of $12.5 billion [26] - The FAA is exploring ways to raise pay for air traffic controller academy students and expand educational programs to address the staffing crisis [27][28]