Delays spread to major airports across the country, as the seventh day of government shutdown impacts travelers

A dark and unstaffed air traffic control tower is seen at the Hollywood Burbank Airport on October 6, 2025 Frederec J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images Washington —

There will not be enough air traffic controllers in the tower at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Tuesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration is warning. In Nashville, so many controllers have stayed home the facility, which guides planes into and out of the airport, is closing.

Now on the seventh day of the government shutdown, the same scenario is playing out at FAA offices across the country, with ripple effects hitting flights almost everywhere.

The approach and departure facilities for Houston, Newark and Las Vegas all do not have enough controllers working for at least part of Tuesday evening, along with the