A major airport in California experienced a lack of air traffic controllers on Monday evening due to the ongoing US government shutdown, as reported by the state’s governor. Hollywood Burbank Airport, a key connection hub in Los Angeles, faced a six-hour period without qualified personnel in its control tower, Governor Gavin Newsom revealed.
Expressing frustration, Newsom took to social media to address President Trump, attributing the staffing issue to the government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), responsible for regulating air travel in the US, acknowledged delays in departures to Burbank Airport, citing a staffing shortage in the control tower.
According to ABC7, individuals at the airport confirmed the unavailability of tower staff. Operations at Burbank were temporarily reassigned to a team in San Diego, responsible for communication with incoming and outgoing pilots.
Despite the challenges, airport officials assured that operations were ongoing. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for updates on possible delays or cancellations before heading to the airport.
The incident occurred amidst the second week of a nationwide government shutdown, marked by disagreements between the Republican Party and Democrats over funding for government functions. While most federal workers were furloughed without pay, essential personnel such as air traffic controllers were required to work unpaid.
Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of the current arrangement, with speculations that unpaid staff may eventually resort to taking sick leave. Democrats are demanding concessions, including the extension of healthcare subsidies and reversals of healthcare program cuts, as part of negotiations to reopen federal departments.
The Congressional Budget Office projected that recent legislation would result in millions losing healthcare coverage, intensifying the debate between the two parties. Republicans argue that healthcare subsidies should be addressed separately from government funding issues.