The United States Federal Aviation Administration reported shortages at 18 air traffic control facilities yesterday causing delays averaging two hours at airports in Chicago, Nashville, and Burbank, as the US government shutdown enters its 24th day today with no resolution in sight.
Furloughs affect 750,000 federal workers while essential staff including air traffic controllers and TSA officers work without pay leading to strains across aviation operations, with nearly 15,000 flights delayed since 1 October and over 300 cancellations.
Aviation experts warn the system is growing brittle as controllers face 60-hour weeks without paychecks prompting sick calls and potential safety risks amid outdated equipment and chronic understaffing.
Training for 2,000 new controllers has halted, further exacerbating shortages with the U.S. Travel Association estimating €920m weekly losses to airlines and related sectors.
Hospitality faces mounting pressure with the American Hotel and Lodging Association reporting €600m in losses to hotels and tour operators as inbound international visits drop 6.3 per cent to 67.9m for the year. Cancellations surge for Washington DC bookings where federal tours to the Capitol and White House end abruptly while peak corporate travel coincides with the crisis.
Small businesses near tourist sites report 20 per cent revenue dips with some furloughed workers turning to food banks and second jobs to cover bills. The sector absorbs ripple effects from aviation disruptions as delayed flights strand guests and reduce occupancy rates nationwide.
National parks operate in limbo with over half of the National Park Service’s 14,500 staff furloughed leaving trails open but visitor centres, restrooms, and ranger programs closed. Yosemite reports rises in illegal camping, vandalism, and poaching since 1 October while Great Smoky Mountains relies on state funding to stay fully operational despite 49,000 daily visitors. Economic fallout hits gateway communities with €73m daily lost in visitor spending across the system and cleanup costs projected at €3.7m post-shutdown.
States like Colorado fund eight fee-collecting parks until reserves deplete but widespread damage from unchecked visitors threatens fragile ecosystems.
Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo shuttered on 12 October after reserve funds ran dry halting access to 21 institutions including the National Museum of Natural History and Air and Space Museum.
The National Gallery of Art closed on 5 October with all programs suspended while the National Archives and Library of Congress locked doors on 1 October denying public entry to historic documents.
Contract workers face unpaid shifts with no back pay guarantees and exhibitions like Australian Indigenous art delay openings. The closures cost €3.1m in lost revenue during the 2019 shutdown with current impacts amplified by autumn peak season drawing 1m daily visitors pre-closure.
Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over spending and health care subsidies.
