Government Shutdown Flights Airports: What Travelers Need to Know

During the 35-day government shutdown of 2018-2019, ten airports across the United States reported security checkpoint wait times exceeding 90 minutes, a La Guardia ground stop made national headlines, and food banks set up distribution sites inside airport terminals for TSA agents who could not afford groceries. The disruption to government shutdown flights airports operations was the most visible consequence of the longest funding lapse in American history, and the patterns from that shutdown provide a clear blueprint for what travelers should expect when federal funding lapses again.

This guide covers what actually happens to air travel during a government shutdown, from TSA screening and air traffic control to FAA safety inspections and passport processing. If you are looking for the broader shutdown impact picture, see our Government Shutdown Tracker. For TSA-specific worker impacts, read our detailed explainer: Is TSA Affected by the Government Shutdown?

Will My Flight Be Canceled During a Government Shutdown?

No. Airlines are private companies that operate independently of federal funding. Your flight will not be canceled solely because of a government shutdown. Aircraft continue to fly, gates remain open, and airline staff continue working normally. The disruption comes from the federal employees who support the aviation system, not from the airlines themselves.

However, flights can be delayed indirectly. If TSA checkpoint bottlenecks prevent passengers from reaching gates on time, airlines may hold departures. If air traffic controller staffing drops below safe levels at any facility, the FAA can impose ground stops or ground delay programs that reduce the number of flights permitted to depart. Both of these scenarios occurred during the 2018-2019 shutdown.

Government Shutdown Air Traffic Control: The Hidden Risk

While TSA lines get the headlines, government shutdown air traffic control staffing is the more consequential safety concern. The United States has approximately 14,000 certified air traffic controllers, all of whom are federal employees classified as essential during a shutdown. They must continue directing aircraft without pay.

The practical risks compound over time:

• Financial stress reduces focus. Controllers managing hundreds of aircraft movements per hour need sustained concentration. Financial worry is a recognized distraction factor in aviation safety literature.
• Callouts increase. Some controllers may seek temporary paid work or face transportation barriers without a paycheck. Every absence increases workload on remaining staff.
• Training stops. The FAA suspends new controller training during shutdowns, worsening an existing staffing shortage. The agency has been below its target controller count for years.
• System maintenance pauses. Non-essential FAA technology staff are furloughed, potentially delaying upgrades and maintenance on aging radar and communication systems.

On January 25, 2019, the final day of the 2018-2019 shutdown, staffing concerns at a regional air traffic control center contributed to ground stops at La Guardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport. Within hours, the shutdown ended.

TSA Screening During a Government Shutdown

TSA's 60,000 officers are classified as excepted employees who must continue screening passengers without pay. The agency processes approximately 2.5 million passengers per day at more than 440 airports. During a shutdown, that mission continues, but with growing strain on the workforce.

The 2018-2019 shutdown timeline shows how quickly TSA operations degrade:

The pattern is clear: disruption accelerates after the first missed paycheck. Airports with the highest passenger volumes, including Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and JFK, tend to show the greatest impact because they have the least margin for reduced staffing.

FAA Safety Inspections and Aircraft Certification

The FAA employs thousands of safety inspectors, many of whom are furloughed during a government shutdown. Non-essential functions that are suspended include:

• Aircraft certification: New aircraft types cannot receive certification during a shutdown, potentially delaying airline fleet deliveries.
• Routine airline inspections: While airlines maintain their own maintenance programs, FAA oversight inspections are paused.
• Pilot certification: New pilot licenses and medical certificate processing slows or stops.
• Airport construction projects: FAA-funded airport improvement projects halt, affecting runway expansions and terminal upgrades at airports nationwide.

Airlines continue their own safety programs regardless of FAA staffing, and the agency emphasizes that no safety-critical functions are abandoned during a shutdown. However, the pause in oversight and certification creates a backlog that takes weeks or months to clear after funding is restored.

Passport Offices and International Travel

The State Department's passport processing system operates partially on fee-based funding, which means some passport services can continue during a shutdown. However, passport offices located inside federal buildings that close during a shutdown may become inaccessible. Processing times, already measured in weeks under normal conditions, can extend further as staff are reduced.

Travelers with upcoming international trips should:

1. Apply for or renew passports well before any anticipated shutdown.
2. Consider expedited processing if travel is within 4-6 weeks.
3. Check the State Department website for real-time passport office status during a shutdown.
4. Ensure existing passports meet destination country validity requirements (many countries require 6 months of remaining validity).

Practical Advice: Flying During a Government Shutdown

Based on data from past shutdowns, travelers can take specific steps to minimize disruption:

1. Arrive 3 hours early for domestic flights, 4 hours for international. This buffer accounts for unpredictable security wait times.
2. Use TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Dedicated lanes continue operating and typically have shorter waits. However, new enrollment may be delayed.
3. Fly from smaller airports when possible. Regional airports with lower passenger volumes generally experience less TSA disruption than major hubs.
4. Choose early morning flights. Security lines tend to be shortest before 7 AM, and this advantage increases during a shutdown.
5. Monitor the MyTSA app. Real-time checkpoint wait time estimates help you plan your airport arrival.
6. Pack efficiently. Properly organized carry-ons move through X-ray screening faster. Follow the 3-1-1 rule and remove electronics when instructed.
7. Have flexible travel dates if possible. The first week of a shutdown typically has minimal impact. Disruption escalates significantly after the second missed paycheck.

What About Private Aviation and Charter Flights?

Private and charter aviation is less directly affected by a government shutdown because these flights do not require TSA screening. However, private flights still depend on FAA air traffic control services, so ground stops and airspace restrictions apply equally. Fixed-base operators (FBOs) at airports continue normal operations since they are privately operated.

Corporate flight departments should note that FAA aircraft registration and certification services may be delayed during a shutdown, which could affect aircraft purchases, modifications, or re-registrations planned during the funding lapse.

How Shutdown Duration Changes the Flight Impact

The relationship between shutdown length and aviation disruption is not linear. It follows a step function driven by pay cycles:

• Days 1-14: Minimal visible impact. TSA and ATC staffing holds near normal. Travelers may not notice any difference.
• Days 15-21 (first missed paycheck): Callout rates begin rising. Security lines grow at major hubs. FAA inspection backlogs begin accumulating.
• Days 22-35 (second missed paycheck): Significant staffing pressure. Checkpoint consolidation at multiple airports. Air traffic control staffing becomes a safety discussion. Political pressure to end shutdown intensifies as flight disruptions become nightly news.
• Days 35+: Uncharted territory. The 2018-2019 shutdown ended at day 35 precisely because aviation disruption reached an unsustainable level.

For current shutdown status and the next scheduled vote, see our Government Shutdown Tracker. For legislative details behind the funding dispute, read What Bill Is Causing the Government Shutdown?