Burbank Tower Left Unmanned for Hours as Federal Shutdown, Staffing Shortages Trigger Major Delays
On Oct. 6, 2025, Hollywood Burbank Airport’s control tower was unmanned from about 4:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., as sick calls tied to the federal government shutdown forced Southern California TRACON to manage arrivals and departures.
Key takeaways
- Tower outage: The tower was unmanned from about 4:15 p.m. to roughly 10:00 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2025 (Los Angeles Times).
- Cause: The lapse was linked to the federal government shutdown and a wave of sick calls among controllers (Los Angeles Times; ABC7).
- Immediate response: Southern California TRACON assumed control for arrivals and departures while the tower was unmanned (Los Angeles Times; ABC7).
- Passenger impact: Outbound flights were averaging delays of roughly 2 hours and 31 minutes by 5 p.m., with the longest delay near four hours (Los Angeles Times; ABC7).
What happened at Burbank
On Monday afternoon a spike in sick calls from air traffic controllers created a coverage gap at Hollywood Burbank Airport’s tower. With no controller available on site beginning around 4:15 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directed Southern California TRACON — an approach control center in San Diego — to manage departures and arrivals by radar and radio (Los Angeles Times; ABC7).
TRACON controllers routinely manage approach and departure traffic for multiple airports, but taking over tower duties for a busy commercial field is unusual and less efficient. During the outage, pilots flying under visual flight rules (VFR) were directed to self-announce arrivals and departures — a practice more common at smaller uncontrolled fields (YouTube footage).
“Safety remained the priority,” officials said, noting radar and radio procedures allowed operations to continue but at diminished capacity.
Delays and operations
Flights out of Burbank experienced significant delays as controllers managed traffic remotely and the FAA reduced flow to maintain safety. By 5 p.m., outbound flights were averaging about 2 hours and 31 minutes in delays; the single longest delay approached four hours (Los Angeles Times).
Airport staff reported arrivals and departures continued but at a slower pace. The FAA also enacted system-wide measures to slow traffic at busy airports while staffing shortages persisted, producing ripple effects across the national airspace (ABC7; YouTube coverage).
Cause and broader context
The immediate cause was the 2025 federal government shutdown. Many air traffic controllers, deemed essential, continued to work without pay; as the shutdown lingered, a rising number called in sick, exacerbating a long-term staffing shortfall the FAA faces — roughly 3,000 controllers nationwide according to reports (ABC7).
Similar interruptions were reported at other airports and at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints during the shutdown. The FAA’s traffic-slowing strategy to reduce risk has increased delays at multiple hubs (ABC7).
Political response and statements
Governor Gavin Newsom publicly blamed the federal shutdown and the federal administration for the crisis, linking national politics to the local disruption at Burbank (Los Angeles Times; video).
Local leaders and travelers demanded immediate fixes while calling for longer-term solutions to staffing and funding vulnerabilities in aviation infrastructure.
Safety and expert perspective
Aviation experts emphasized that safety protocols were maintained as TRACON assumed control: radar coverage, radio communications and standard procedures allowed continued operations, albeit more slowly and less efficiently than an on-site tower. Remote or uncontrolled operations are uncommon for a busy commercial airport and are typically reserved for smaller fields during off-peak hours (YouTube footage).
Experts warn that recurrent reliance on stopgap measures could erode confidence in travel reliability and place additional strain on an already thin staffing pipeline.
Impact on travelers and airlines
Passengers at Hollywood Burbank Airport faced long waits, uncertainty and missed connections as airlines and airport staff scrambled to rebook and prioritize flights. Officials reported delays but not mass cancellations in the early evening (ABC7).
For carriers, delay costs — including crew time, fuel burn and rebooking — mount quickly. Repeated disruptions threaten local tourism and business travel, hitting small businesses and hourly workers who rely on steady airport traffic.
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Economic: Hollywood Burbank is a regional gateway; persistent staffing issues could reduce bookings, increase operating costs and harm vendors and nearby businesses.
Political: The event intensifies pressure on federal officials and may prompt state and local leaders to seek contingency funding or emergency measures.
Social: Delays affect travelers with urgent needs and hourly workers; morale among controllers working without pay may influence public perception of safety.
Practical advice for residents
- Check flight status with your airline before leaving for the airport.
- Allow extra time for security lines and arrivals; expect longer waits.
- Consider alternate nearby airports for direct flights if timing is critical.
- Employers should plan for flexible schedules for employees traveling that night.
Sources and reporting notes
This article draws on reporting from the Los Angeles Times, coverage from ABC7, and local video reporting (YouTube footage; video).
Reporting from Times Media Service in Burbank confirms the tower was unmanned from about 4:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with Southern California TRACON assuming responsibility for traffic control during the outage (Los Angeles Times; ABC7).
Ongoing uncertainty
Airport officials said they were working with the FAA and airlines to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. The Burbank incident highlights the fragility of air travel when federal funding and staffing are unsettled, and raises questions about how the system will cope if the shutdown and related shortages persist (Los Angeles Times; ABC7).
