The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) experienced a funding lapse starting Saturday, marking another interruption in operations. This follows significant airport disruptions last fall. While this current lapse might be brief, it has triggered concern among airline industry leaders and air traffic controllers.
The shutdown is part of a broader spending package that requires further action from the House of Representatives. Lawmakers are currently out of session, delaying a final vote until Monday.
Key Takeaways
- FAA funding lapse began Saturday, December 2nd.
- This is the second such interruption in less than three months.
- Air traffic controllers continue working without pay during the lapse.
- Previous shutdown led to major flight cuts and traveler frustration.
- Airline industry warns of potential economic impact and passenger disruption.
Another Funding Interruption
The FAA, along with the rest of the Department of Transportation (DOT), is affected by this latest funding lapse. The Senate passed a spending package, H.R. 7148, on Friday with a vote of 71-29. However, the Senate made changes to the version originally approved by the House.
This means the bill must return to the House for another vote. Since the House is not in session until Monday, a partial shutdown began on Saturday morning. President Donald Trump has expressed support for the package, which suggests the lapse may be short-lived.
Previous Impact
The 43-day funding lapse last year resulted in significant controller absences. More than a month into that shutdown, the FAA imposed mandatory flight cuts at 40 busy airports to manage staffing shortages. These restrictions were later lifted, but airline cancellations became a major issue for travelers.
Concerns from the Industry
The repeated funding interruptions have drawn strong reactions from key stakeholders in the aviation sector. Both the airline industry and the union representing air traffic controllers have voiced their worries.
"I am concerned about the impact on the Department of Transportation," said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) earlier this week. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) added, "Let's hope it's a very short shutdown."
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) union emphasized that these continuous spending lapses create "unnecessary strain" on essential FAA workers and the entire aviation system. Air traffic controllers are expected to miss part of their paychecks on February 17 and would receive no pay on March 3 if the shutdown extends.
Airlines for America (A4A), the trade group for major U.S. carriers, urged Congress to "protect" the FAA. They highlighted that the previous shutdown "negatively impacted more than 6 million passengers and had an economic impact of $7 billion."
System Under Strain
The U.S. aviation system has been dealing with several challenges. These include a long-standing shortage of air traffic controllers and aging equipment. A recent federal accident investigation also placed significant blame on the FAA for a fatal air crash in Washington last year, further intensifying scrutiny on the agency.
Legislative Efforts and Roadblocks
In response to last fall's disruptions, the House Transportation Committee approved a bill, H.R. 6086, designed to allow the FAA to continue paying controllers during shutdowns. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), chairman of the Senate’s aviation subcommittee, had introduced similar legislation, S. 1045, even earlier.
However, these legislative efforts have stalled. Politico previously reported that key appropriators were not enthusiastic about the concept. Senator Moran suggested that the issue might not be a top priority for Congress at the moment.
"People thought the shutdown was ... two months ago and not now," Senator Moran stated, confirming his continued push for the legislation. A4A has also called on lawmakers to pass these bills.
Another legislative attempt came from Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). They submitted an amendment to the appropriations package, proposing their bipartisan ROTOR Act. This bill aimed to address issues related to the Washington air disaster, which claimed 67 lives. The ROTOR Act passed the Senate unanimously in December but faced opposition in the House, particularly from House Transportation Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.), who is concerned about its impact on general aviation.
Impact on Travelers
The timing of this latest funding lapse is also a concern. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) commented on the situation following a major winter storm.
"I just spent all day in an airport yesterday trying to get here, and I live closer than anybody," she said. "It's a tough time of the year to be having even more disruptions — and there's no good time, but this is definitely not a good time."
Travelers experienced widespread cancellations and delays during the previous shutdown. The prospect of further disruptions, especially during busy travel periods, remains a significant worry for millions of passengers nationwide.
Future Outlook
The immediate impact of this weekend's lapse is expected to be minimal, assuming the House votes quickly on Monday. However, the recurring nature of these funding interruptions highlights a deeper issue within the federal budgeting process that affects critical infrastructure like air travel.
The long-term stability of the FAA and its workforce depends on consistent funding. Without it, the agency struggles to address controller shortages, upgrade equipment, and maintain the safety standards crucial for the nation's air travel system.
