FAA reports staffing issues at airports as government shutdown continues

The Federal Aviation Administration was experiencing staffing issues or anticipating shortages at airports and other air traffic control facilities in the United States on Monday night.

Reports of the staffing shortfalls came hours after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that there has been a slight increase in sick calls since the government shutdown began on Wednesday.

There were no air traffic controllers expected at the tower at Hollywood Burbank Airport in the Los Angeles area for an hours-long stretch Monday night because of staffing issues, a source familiar with the situation said.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s website showed the staffing issue between 4 p.m. and 9:59 p.m. PT (7 pm. Monday to 12:59 a.m. Tuesday ET).

The source told NBC News that some air traffic will be handled by San Diego TRACON at a much-reduced rate — meaning arrival and departure delays are certain.

A spokesperson for Hollywood Burbank Airport, a smaller airport in the Los Angeles area, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Newark Liberty International Airport and Denver International Airport also experienced issues with air traffic control staffing Monday, according to the FAA’s website.

A reason for the staffing problem at Hollywood Burbank was not clear.

Because of the federal government shutdown, air traffic controllers were working without pay Monday.

The shutdown is set to hit the one-week mark after the Senate again failed to pass legislation Monday night that would reopen the government. With no negotiations taking place between Democrats and Republicans, there are no signs of a breakthrough on the horizon.

Duffy earlier said Monday that there has been an increase in sick calls since the government shut down and funding lapsed, but he said the increase was slight.

“So, we’re tracking sick calls, sick leave, and have we had a slight tick up in sick calls? Yes, and then you’ll see delays that come from that,” Duffy told reporters at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“Our priorities are safety. And so, if we have additional sick calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that’s safe for the American people,” he said.

An FAA spokesperson Monday evening referred to Duffy’s earlier comments when asked about staffing at Burbank.

“As Secretary Duffy said, there have been increased staffing shortages across the system. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations,” the FAA spokesperson said.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association union pointed to a national shortage of air traffic controllers. Officials have warned about that shortage before the federal government shut down.

“It is normal for a few air traffic controllers to call in sick on any given day, and this is the latest example of how fragile our aviation system is in the midst of a national shortage of these critical safety professionals,” the union said.