The control tower at Hollywood Burbank Airport went dark Monday evening after air traffic controllers were instructed to leave their posts amid the ongoing government shutdown. By 4:15 p.m., the tower — which normally oversees dozens of takeoffs and landings every hour — was unmanned, leaving one of Southern California’s busiest regional airports operating without on-site control for the first time in years.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the absence of local controllers would last several hours, with a target to restore staffing by 10 p.m. In the interim, flight coordination responsibilities were transferred to Southern California TRACON, a specialized radar center based in San Diego. TRACON manages approach and departure traffic for much of the region, and on Monday it took full control of Burbank’s airspace remotely.
Despite the unusual circumstances, flights at the airport continued with minimal disruption. Monitors inside the terminal displayed mostly on-time departures, and passengers boarding evening flights were told operations remained safe under remote supervision. The calm scene inside the airport contrasted sharply with the growing turbulence within federal aviation agencies struggling to stay functional without funding.
National Strain Spreads Across the Skies
The Burbank shutdown highlighted the widening impact of the federal budget impasse on the nation’s air transportation network. The FAA issued a nationwide alert earlier Monday, citing staffing shortfalls and operational slowdowns at major hubs including Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Phoenix.
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Air traffic controllers are classified as essential employees, meaning they must continue to work during a shutdown — but without pay. The financial pressure has led to an increase in unscheduled absences, known within the industry as “sick calls.” According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the trend is beginning to affect flight schedules.
“We are tracking sick leave across multiple centers,” Duffy told reporters. “Safety is our top concern. If absences continue, the FAA will slow the rate of departures and landings to maintain safe flow.”
The tension mirrors the 2018–2019 government shutdown, when prolonged unpaid work led to similar disruptions nationwide. Then, airports such as Miami and Atlanta faced terminal closures as TSA screeners and controllers began calling out.
Experts say today’s system is even more fragile. Jeffrey Price, an aviation professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, explained that chronic staffing shortages make the current shutdown more severe. “The air traffic system is already thin,” Price said. “Remove even a small number of people and you start seeing delays ripple outward.”
Controllers Work Without Pay as Travelers Watch Closely
Across the country, roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 60,000 TSA officers remain on duty without pay. The FAA has been short about 3,000 controllers for several months, forcing many to work extended shifts and weekends. The shutdown has halted hiring and training, straining an already exhausted workforce.
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At Burbank Airport, those pressures became visible Monday afternoon. Controllers leaving the tower told Eyewitness News they were instructed to transfer their duties to San Diego and go home. “We’re still working, just not from here,” one controller said while exiting the building.
Inside the terminal, the departure boards showed only a handful of minor delays, mostly affecting short regional hops. Ground crews and security staff remained at full strength, and TSA lines moved steadily despite concerns of absenteeism.
Passengers expressed both surprise and empathy. “I didn’t realize the tower was empty,” said Ryan Delgado, waiting for a flight to Oakland. “It’s unsettling, but the staff here are calm and professional.”
Controllers are expected to receive one partial paycheck next week, covering hours worked before the shutdown began mid-cycle. After that, no payments will be processed until Congress approves new funding.
For now, Southern California TRACON continues to guide flights in and out of Burbank remotely. Pilots reported clear communication with TRACON staff and standard flight separation intervals. By evening, the airport’s skyline appeared quiet but orderly — a symbol of an aviation system running on professionalism, even as its workforce goes unpaid.
