As the U.S. holiday travel season approaches — one of the busiest and most profitable times of the year for airlines — United Airlines and American Airlines are issuing an urgent plea to Congress: end the government shutdown before it brings the nation’s air travel system to its knees.
Both carriers have warned that the ongoing political standoff in Washington, which has left thousands of air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and FAA safety inspectors working without pay, could soon trigger widespread flight disruptions, jeopardize safety standards, and stall the industry’s fragile recovery from years of pandemic-era turbulence.
A Brewing Crisis in the Skies
The U.S. aviation system is under unprecedented stress. As of this week, more than 13,000 FAA employees — including essential staff such as air traffic controllers and technical operations specialists — have been forced to work without pay due to the partial government shutdown.
For airlines, that means operating the world’s busiest airspace with overworked personnel and limited oversight, an increasingly untenable situation as Thanksgiving and Christmas travel approach.
Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, described the scenario as “deeply concerning and wholly avoidable,” warning that “the shutdown puts unnecessary strain on a system already operating at maximum capacity. Our people are doing their best, but the federal government must act now.”
Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We are heading into the busiest travel season of the year. If Congress does not resolve this shutdown immediately, passengers will pay the price — with delays, cancellations, and safety risks no one wants to see.”
Air Traffic Controllers Stretched to the Limit
Behind the polished terminals and packed gates, the situation for air traffic controllers has become dire. Many have gone weeks without pay, relying on savings or credit to cover daily expenses. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has warned that morale is collapsing and fatigue is growing as controllers work extended shifts to compensate for staffing gaps.
“Controllers are exhausted,” said a NATCA spokesperson. “They are being asked to keep the skies safe without pay, and that is unsustainable. We’re at a breaking point.”
According to FAA internal estimates, overtime hours among controllers have increased by more than 35% since the shutdown began. The last time a prolonged shutdown hit the aviation sector — in 2019 — it led to temporary airport closures, flight delays in major hubs, and warnings from the FAA that safety oversight was “compromised.”
Mounting Economic and Safety Risks
The economic stakes are massive. The U.S. airline industry contributes roughly $1.5 trillion annually to the national economy and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Prolonged instability in the aviation workforce could ripple through the broader economy, from tourism and logistics to manufacturing and hospitality.
The Airlines for America (A4A) trade group has estimated that a full month of shutdown-related disruption could cost the industry up to $2 billion in lost revenue. Meanwhile, supply chains relying on cargo flights would face further complications, threatening deliveries of goods during the peak retail season.
Safety concerns are also intensifying. While the FAA continues to insist that safety “remains uncompromised,” multiple aviation experts have warned that sustained stress, fatigue, and delayed maintenance oversight could erode safety margins.
Former FAA Administrator Michael Huerta cautioned that “the system can absorb stress for a short period, but the longer controllers and inspectors go unpaid, the greater the risk of error or oversight.”
Political Deadlock and Industry Pressure
The shutdown stems from a budget impasse in Congress, with lawmakers divided over spending priorities and policy riders unrelated to aviation. While both Republican and Democratic leaders have expressed sympathy for affected federal workers, neither side has yet offered a compromise that could break the stalemate.
For airlines, the political wrangling has become more than a matter of frustration — it’s a business crisis. Both United and American have ramped up lobbying efforts in Washington, urging lawmakers to approve an emergency funding bill to reopen the FAA and TSA, even if broader negotiations continue.
Industry insiders say the carriers have also been coordinating behind the scenes with Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue, forming a united front in pushing Congress to prioritize aviation funding.
A Looming Holiday Meltdown?
The timing could not be worse. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects more than 35 million Americans to fly between Thanksgiving and New Year’s — a record high. Airport staffing shortages, already a challenge in many hubs, could lead to massive delays if the shutdown persists.
At New York’s LaGuardia Airport, travelers have already reported longer security lines and delayed departures as staff struggle to maintain normal operations. “We’re doing the best we can with fewer resources,” one airport manager said. “But if this goes on into December, we’re looking at chaos.”
Airlines fear that the ripple effects could mirror those of previous crises, when cascading flight delays at major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas spread nationwide within hours.
Public Sympathy, But Growing Anger
Public opinion appears to be turning sharply against Washington. Passengers have taken to social media to voice anger over canceled flights and long lines, many expressing support for unpaid federal employees.
“Air traffic controllers are heroes,” one traveler posted. “They’re keeping us safe while politicians play games. It’s disgraceful.”
Meanwhile, airline unions have begun organizing rallies and letter-writing campaigns urging Congress to fund the FAA immediately. “This is not about politics — it’s about safety and common sense,” said one pilot union leader. “You cannot run the world’s most complex airspace system on empty promises.”
The Broader Implications
If the shutdown continues deep into the holiday season, analysts warn it could shake public confidence in U.S. infrastructure and damage the country’s reputation as a global aviation leader.
“This is not just about missed paychecks or delayed flights,” said economist Sarah Fielding of the Brookings Institution. “It’s about how the world perceives America’s ability to manage its critical systems. Aviation is the front line of that perception.”
Airlines are preparing contingency plans, including adjusting flight schedules, offering flexible rebooking, and bolstering customer service teams. But without an end to the shutdown, they admit there’s only so much they can do.
A Plea for Urgent Action
As the holiday rush looms, the message from the nation’s biggest airlines is clear: the shutdown must end — now.
“Our employees, our passengers, and our economy deserve better,” United’s Scott Kirby said in a statement. “Congress needs to put aside politics and do its job before this turns into a full-blown crisis.”
American’s Robert Isom added, “We’ve all worked too hard to rebuild this industry after the pandemic. To see it jeopardized by political dysfunction is unacceptable. We need leadership, not gridlock.”
With millions of Americans preparing to take to the skies, the clock is ticking — and the nation’s airways are growing more fragile by the day. What happens next in Washington will determine whether travelers experience a smooth holiday season or one defined by delays, cancellations, and frustration at 30,000 feet.
