Airports: Open Or Shut? A Comprehensive Guide

As of December 2024, there is a possibility of airports shutting down due to an impending government shutdown if Congress fails to pass a funding bill. This could result in longer wait times at airports as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and air traffic controllers would be required to work without pay, potentially leading to increased absences and flight delays. Additionally, drone sightings have caused temporary runway closures at some airports, including Stewart International Airport in New York.

Airports closed due to drones

Drones have been causing airport closures and disruptions across the United States, with New York and New Jersey being particularly affected.

Stewart International Airport, located in Orange County, New York, was forced to shut down its runways for approximately an hour on Friday night due to drone activity in the airspace. The airport, which services both commercial and military flights, is situated about an hour's drive north of Manhattan and is adjacent to a New York Air National Guard base. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alerted officials at the airport to a drone sighting around 9:30 p.m., and the runways were closed as a precaution. While there were no impacts on flight operations during the closure, New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her frustration with the situation, stating that it had "gone too far." She called for federal assistance and urged Congress to pass legislation to strengthen the FAA's oversight of drones and grant additional powers to state and local law enforcement to address the issue.

In addition to the closure at Stewart International Airport, drone sightings have also led to temporary airspace shutdowns and disruptions at other airports and military bases across the country. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio experienced a temporary airspace shutdown due to drone sightings, and there have been reports of drone activity near Logan International Airport in Boston, leading to the arrest of two men accused of operating a drone dangerously close to the airport.

The mysterious drone sightings have prompted investigations by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and other law enforcement agencies. While the exact nature and origin of the drones remain unclear, they have been spotted in multiple states, including New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, and Ohio. The drones have also been seen flying over U.S. military bases, raising concerns among residents and officials.

To address the issue, there have been calls for stronger action against the drones, including shooting them down. Additionally, there is a push for improved drone-tracking technology and expanded powers for law enforcement agencies to deal with the mysterious unmanned flights.

Staff working without pay

Airports rely on the work of many federal employees, from air traffic controllers to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, to keep running. During a government shutdown, these workers are deemed essential and are thus required to continue working without pay.

The prospect of working without pay has raised concerns about the safety and mental health of these workers. Alicia Dolforde, president of the AFGE union at Reagan National Airport, representing nearly 700 TSA workers, said she believed working without pay would be a "public safety issue" and cause "high stress". Sen. Mark Warner also weighed in, saying:

> You’re going to have a level of chaos at our airports that I fear could be unprecedented.

These concerns are not unfounded. During a 2018-2019 government shutdown, the longest in US history, there was a notable increase in the number of air traffic controllers calling in sick or fatigued after about a month. This led to a temporary shutdown at LaGuardia Airport and delays at other major airports, including Philadelphia International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

In addition to air traffic controllers, TSA agents are also considered essential workers during a government shutdown. Of the TSA's 62,000 workers, 59,000 are expected to continue working without pay. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, many officers called in sick, leading to longer lines at some airports. At the height of the shutdown, 10% of TSA officers nationwide called in sick.

While federal workers will receive back pay once the government reopens, this can take time. Dolforde reported that after the 2018 shutdown, it took over two months for those checks to arrive. In the meantime, many federal workers turned to food banks and other forms of aid to get by.

Staff shortages

The pandemic significantly impacted the aviation industry, with airlines forced to furlough or lay off a significant portion of their workforce. According to Oxford Economics, there were 2.3 million fewer people working in aviation globally by September 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic period. This reduction in staff created a shortage of pilots, ground crew, and other essential personnel, which has disrupted airlines' operations.

The high volume of summer flights, combined with staff shortages, has placed a tremendous burden on airlines. As a result, they have struggled to handle the increased demand, leading to delays and cancellations. The onboarding process for new employees is also slow, with background checks and training requirements taking time. Additionally, the pandemic prompted many senior pilots and flight attendants to take early retirements or buyouts, resulting in a loss of experienced personnel.

The aviation industry is also facing inflationary pressures, including soaring fuel costs, which have more than doubled over the last year. These financial challenges further complicate the industry's efforts to recover from the pandemic and address staff shortages. As airlines navigate these difficulties, passengers continue to experience disruptions, highlighting the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the aviation industry.

The staff shortages have had a direct impact on airports and their operations. Notably, three major airports on the East Coast of the United States—Newark International Airport in New Jersey, Philadelphia International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport in New York City—experienced critical staffing shortages affecting incoming and outbound flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the shortages were due to a high number of employees calling in sick, with air traffic being rerouted to maintain safe spacing between planes.

Delayed or cancelled flights

Government Shutdowns:

During a government shutdown, air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and other essential personnel may be required to work without pay. While these employees generally continue performing their duties, an extended shutdown can result in longer wait times at airports. For example, the 2019 government shutdown led to an increase in absences by controllers and TSA officers, which contributed to extended checkpoint wait times and impacted air traffic.

Staffing Issues:

Staff shortages due to unpaid work during a shutdown can lead to the closure of security checkpoints at airports. This was observed during the partial government shutdown, where Houston and Miami airports had to shut down some of their security checkpoints. While this doesn't directly cause flight delays or cancellations, it can create longer lines and increase passenger wait times.

Safety and Security Concerns:

Shutdowns can impact the overall safety and security of airports. During a shutdown, aviation safety inspectors may be furloughed, and there could be a tendency for some individuals to cut corners or violate regulations. Additionally, the shutdown affects air traffic controllers and TSA agents, who may experience increased stress due to financial pressures. While the risk to passengers from deliberate acts like terrorism remains minimal, prolonged shutdowns can create unseen pressures on the system.

External Factors:

Delays or cancellations can also occur due to external factors unrelated to airport shutdowns. For instance, bad weather conditions, such as snowy weather, can lead to flight delays or cancellations. In the case of drone sightings, as seen at Stewart International Airport, runways may be temporarily closed as a safety precaution, potentially impacting flight schedules.

To avoid or minimise the impact of delays or cancellations, passengers are advised to stay updated with airport and airline notifications, allow for extra time when travelling during shutdowns or peak periods, and be prepared for potential disruptions.

Government shutdown

A government shutdown can have a significant impact on air travel, and the potential for this impact increases during the busy holiday season. While commercial airplanes are still scheduled to fly in the event of a shutdown, air travellers may experience longer wait times at airports. This is due to a combination of factors, including the possibility of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay, as they are deemed essential employees.

In the lead-up to a potential government shutdown, some federal employees are pulled away from their regular jobs to prepare for a funding lapse. This includes determining which employees are non-essential and can be furloughed, and which are essential and must continue working without pay. Essential employees include air traffic controllers and TSA officers, who are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of air travel.

During a government shutdown, TSA officers and air traffic controllers are required to work without pay. This can lead to financial difficulties for these employees, causing some to miss shifts to work second jobs or due to an inability to afford childcare. As a result, there may be an increase in absences and callouts, which can disrupt the safety of the nation's airspace and cause significant delays for travellers.

The impact of a shutdown on air travel was evident during the 2018-2019 government shutdown, which lasted for 35 days. At that time, there was a significant increase in absences by TSA officers and air traffic controllers, with the national rate of unscheduled absences for TSA agents reaching 10%. This led to long lines at airports, with wait times of over an hour in some places, and even forced the temporary closure of terminals at Miami and Houston airports.

To avoid similar disruptions during the upcoming holiday season, it is imperative for lawmakers to secure a spending deal and prevent a government shutdown.

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