Burbank: Hollywood Burbank Airport in California experienced significant flight disruptions on Monday evening as the air traffic control tower remained unmanned for nearly six hours due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. From 4:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time, no on-site air traffic controllers were present, forcing Southern California TRACON in San Diego to remotely manage airport operations.

During this period, multiple flights were delayed or canceled. By 6:30 p.m., there were 25 arrival delays, 17 departure delays, seven arrival cancellations, and five departure cancellations. Outgoing flights experienced an average delay of two hours and 31 minutes, with some delayed by nearly four hours.

The staffing shortages at Burbank are part of a broader issue affecting major U.S. airports, including Newark, Phoenix, Denver, and Las Vegas, where air traffic control staffing has dropped by up to 50 percent. On Monday alone, over 4,000 flights were delayed nationwide.

The shutdown has left approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers working without pay, with the first missed paycheck expected on October 14. The FAA is currently short about 3,500 controllers, worsening operational delays across the country.

California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized former President Donald Trump for the impact of the shutdown on airport operations, highlighting the unmanned tower at Burbank Airport as a critical example of the disruption. The shutdown has now entered its sixth day with no resolution in sight as Senate negotiations continue to stall.

Travelers are advised to check flight statuses and airport updates before traveling, as delays and cancellations remain a possibility.