US government shutdown could hamper air cargo ops

The United States government shutdown should not affect air traffic control or other essential FAA operations, but a prolonged shutdown could cause aviation bottlenecks and slowdowns, industry leaders said. The shutdown went into effect at 12:01 a.m. today after proposals — from both Democrats and Republicans — to fund the government failed in the Senate on Sept. 30. [caption id="attachment_57292023" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (Courtesy/Canva)[/caption] The FAA will furlough 11,322 employees in non-safety and administrative roles during the shutdown, according to the DOT’s “Plans for Operations During a Lapse in Annual Appropriations by Operating Administration,” released Sept. 30. Air traffic control services, hiring and field training will continue, according to the plan. However, 13,294 air traffic controllers will be working without a paycheck with the expectation they will be paid retroactively when the government reopens. Most FAA operations will continue during the shutdown, as they are deemed necessary for safety and security and necessary as “implied by law.” TSA and Customs and Border Protection employees deemed essential will also work during the shutdown, also with their pay deferred. Industry calls for quick resolution Though planes will continue to take off and land during the shutdown, industry leaders worry a prolonged shutdown could hamper cargo and passenger operations. “With air traffic control operations under pressure and federal aviation staff affected, there is a real risk of delays, disruptions and added costs across the supply chain,” the Airforwarders Association (AfA) said today in a statement. “Freight forwarders depend on safe, predictable and fully resourced aviation infrastructure to keep goods moving for businesses and consumers alike.” The AfA has called for elected officials to resolve the impasse as quickly as possible. Washington-based airline advocacy group Airlines for America (A4A) is similarly concerned, saying in a Sept. 30 statement that it appreciates the air traffic controllers who will continue to work without a paycheck, but recognizes the strain under which this places them. “When federal employees who manage air traffic, inspect aircraft and secure our nation’s aviation system are furloughed or working without pay, the entire industry and millions of Americans feel the strain.” — Airlines 4 America The shutdown “is coming at a critical moment: on the heels of Congress approving $12.5 billion to modernize the FAA’s antiquated air traffic control system [and] amid the DOT ‘supercharging’ hiring to get air traffic control facilities fully staffed,” A4A said. Cargo Facts Symposium, the quintessential event for stakeholders and key leaders in the global freighter and air cargo industries, will take place Oct. 22-24 at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville . Learn more and register today to attend this key industry event. Cargo Facts LATAM 2026, the essential event for stakeholders in Latin America, will take place Feb. 10-12 at the Marquis Reforma in Mexico City. Learn more and register by Dec. 19 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

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