The Factors Man founder Brian Kelly explains how the federal government shutdown is exacerbating FAA and air visitors controller staffing shortages on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
The Hollywood Burbank Airport in California went with out air visitors controllers for hours on Monday night time amid the federal government shutdown.
A staffing scarcity meant there have been no controllers on obligation between 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. native time, and their arrival and departure duties had been reportedly handed off to Southern California Terminal Radar Method Management Services (TRACON), primarily based in San Diego, based on FOX11 Los Angeles.
The staffing challenge prompted a number of flight cancellations. At 5 p.m., the common flight delay at Hollywood Burbank Airport was two hours and half-hour, the station added, citing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Thanks, @realDonaldTrump! Burbank Airport has ZERO air visitors controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm at this time due to YOUR authorities shutdown,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X.
AIRLINES WARN GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN COULD DISRUPT FLIGHTS, STRAIN AVIATION SYSTEM
The Hollywood Burbank Airport air visitors management tower stands past a parked United Airways airplane seen on Oct. 6, 2025. in Burbank, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
The airport didn’t instantly reply Tuesday to a request for remark from FOX Enterprise.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy mentioned at a press convention in New Jersey that, “In a job that is already disturbing, this shutdown has put far more stress on our controllers.”
“So we’re monitoring sick calls, sick depart, and we had a slight tick up in sick calls, sure. And then you definately’ll see delays that come from that,” Duffy mentioned.
AMERICAN AIRLINES JET CANCELS TAKEOFF AFTER LAX RUNWAY INCURSION
The Hollywood Burbank Airport air visitors management tower stands on Oct. 6, 2025, in Burbank, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
“As a result of once more, our precedence… I wish to see your flight not be delayed. I do not need you… I do not need you canceled. However our priorities are security. And so, if now we have further sick calls, we are going to cut back the movement in step with a charge that is protected for the American folks,” Duffy continued.
“The controllers have to point out up for work, proper? They’ve to come back to work. They’re a part of our crucial infrastructure. The issue is they are going to present up for work, and so they’re not going to get paychecks,” Duffy additionally mentioned, describing the results of the continuing authorities shutdown.
Nick Daniels, the president of the Nationwide Air Site visitors Controllers Affiliation, is pushing for an finish to the federal government shutdown.
A Southwest Airways airplane takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport as one other Southwest airplane taxis on July 25, 2024, in Burbank, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
“I am right here to advocate for the top to the shutdown. We have to carry this shutdown to a detailed in order that the Federal Aviation Administration and the dedicated aviation security professionals can put this distraction in focus, put this distraction behind us, and utterly give attention to their important work,” he mentioned alongside Duffy.
