U.S. warns of airspace shutdown amid government paralysis

07-11-25

The prolonged “government shutdown” in the United States has pushed the country’s aviation sector to the brink of an unprecedented crisis. According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the escalating budget standoff between the White House and Congress could lead the nation to the extraordinary measure of partially closing its airspace if the situation is not unlocked soon.

The main driver of this risk is the wave of attrition and absences within teams operating at key airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that between 20% and 40% of air traffic controllers at several major airports are not reporting to duty, creating unsustainable operational pressure. More than 13,000 controllers and roughly 50,000 agents from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have been working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1, triggering a sharp rise in absenteeism and jeopardizing the system’s normal functioning.

Duffy was blunt: “We could be forced to close parts of the airspace because, quite simply, we can no longer sustain it.” The warning lays bare the very real risk of “massive chaos” in air traffic, with delays, cancellations, and growing safety concerns if the budgets do not pass. In 2019, a 35-day shutdown already forced a partial halt to services—a precedent that now serves as a cautionary tale.

The operational crisis has rippled into financial markets. Shares of airlines such as Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines have fallen between 3% and 5% on fears of mass cancellations. Since the shutdown began, an estimated 3.2 million passengers have been affected by delays or cancellations.

The situation becomes even more critical considering that the legislative impasse continues with no clear way out. Although senators from both parties—such as Republican John Thune and Democrat Dick Durbin—have pointed to some progress, funding for key programs like health insurance subsidies remains stuck. That lack of agreement has direct, concrete effects on national aviation operations.

For international destinations and tourism in general, the outlook is particularly concerning. A partial closure of U.S. airspace would not only affect American carriers but also have repercussions across global markets and traveler flows that connect through North American hubs. At a time when connectivity and fluidity are essential for tourism’s recovery, this crisis calls into question the stability of global air traffic.

The challenge is not just keeping the skies open, but ensuring that operational services—controllers, security, traffic management, ground handling—function normally. A major disruption would entail economic losses, reputational damage, and a domino effect on bookings and traveler confidence. Operators as well as origin and destination markets must remain alert to manage potential contingencies.

The current budget paralysis in the United States goes beyond politics and becomes a tangible threat to aviation and international tourism. With critical facilities stretched to their operational limits and no clear short-term compromise, the warning about airspace closures should not be taken lightly. The sector is on high alert: a negotiation that once seemed purely governmental has set off an alarm that may resonate far beyond Washington.

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